COLOMBO, Sept 9, 2025 (ePRESS) – Sri Lanka’s East Coast can be developed into a world-class tourism hotspot similar to Bali in Indonesia, if proper infrastructure and connectivity are in place, a top industry leader said on Tuesday.
Speaking at the Sri Lankan-German Tourism Conference at the Kingsbury Hotel in Colombo, Aitken Spence Managing Director Nalin Jayasundara stressed that better road and air links are key to unlocking the East Coast’s full potential.
“One key factor is road connectivity. The highway from Kurunegala should be extended to the East, as planned by the government. This will give tourists quick access,” he said.
He also called for affordable domestic air travel, with regular scheduled flights. “For this, the government must provide concessions for the domestic aviation sector,” Jayasundara added.
He noted that around 60 percent of tourists visit Sri Lanka within just five months of the year, while the rest of the period sees a sharp decline. To fill this gap, he suggested free visas and discounted rates at government-run cultural and wildlife sites during off-peak months.
Meanwhile, Martin Klose, Chief Delegate of AHK Sri Lanka, said Germany remains one of Sri Lanka’s most important tourism markets.
“This conference underscores the potential for collaboration in making Sri Lanka an even stronger destination for German travellers,” Klose said.
The event, organised under Germany’s Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy (BMWE) Market Energy Program, featured two panel discussions, expert presentations, and company pitches. Topics included MICE tourism, training and education, AI applications, and diversity and inclusion in the sector.
Mareike Brandt presented innovative tourism solutions, while experts highlighted new opportunities for cooperation.
AHK Sri Lanka is part of the German Chamber Network, supported by the German government.
