The Government is planning to establish 25 tourism villages this year at a cost of Rs.250 million.
The aim is to uplift both tourism and the economic status of the people living in the chosen villages, the Tourism Ministry said.
This will be implemented by the Samurdhi, Household Economy, Micro Finance, Self Employment and Business Development State Ministry. Under the project, being implemented under the Saubhagya Village Project, the government will spend Rs. 10 million to develop each tourism village.
Selecting villages for the programme will be conducted jointly by the Tourism Ministry, the Tourism Development Authority and the Samurdhi, Household Economy, Micro Finance, Self Employment Business Development State Ministry. Villages which are close to various tourist attractions and which have the necessary resources to be developed as a tourism village will be chosen.
This was revealed at a special discussion held Tuesday under the patronage of Minister Prasanna Ranatunga regarding the implementation of the programme which was attended by the relevant stakeholders.
The minister said that the government is working to build a people centred economy and will take steps to implement such projects with the participation of the people at the grassroots level.
Rural tourism focuses on actively participating in a rural lifestyle. It can be a variant of eco-tourism. Many villages can facilitate tourism because many villagers are hospitable and eager to welcome visitors, he added.
