COLOMBO, Sept. 21 (Xinhua) -- Sri Lanka has issued a Gazette Extraordinary prescribing minimum rates for room occupancy and meal services at tourist hotels situated within the jurisdiction of the Colombo Municipal Council (CMC) area, a senior official said on Thursday.
Priantha Fernando, chairman of the Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority (SLTDA), said on TV that the rates will come into effect from Oct. 1, 2023.
The rates are as follows: five-star tourist hotels -100 U.S. dollars, four-star tourist hotels -75 dollars, three-star tourist hotels -50 dollars, two-star tourist hotels -35 dollars and one-star tourist hotels -20 dollars.
Fernando said the rates exclude service charges and other applicable taxes, fees, or charges levied for any other services provided, adding that the gazette has also set the rates for the meals provided for those who have booked rooms.
Hotels that fall under the category of residence or apartments for short-term business of less than one month, will face an additional charge of 15 dollars or its equivalent in rupees per extra guest over double occupancy, Fernando said.
Tourism is one of Sri Lanka's leading foreign exchange earners, with the tourism industry aiming to attract 2 million visitors in 2023. ■
