The government is focusing on reducing taxes levied at the local government level on those engaged in the tourism sector, stated Tourism Minister Prasanna Ranatunge yesterday. Ranatunga stated that he has already begun discussions with provincial governors with a view to resolving the long-standing crisis over the tax gap that exists between registered and unregistered institutions. “Due to this large tax gap, some are trying to evade paying taxes to the government. The government loses a large amount of tax revenue every year due to others operating institutions without being registered with the government," he said. "We hope to encourage tax payers at the provincial level through tax concessions, while furthering the promotion of these tourist destinations." He also said that it has become imperative to reduce the amount of provincial taxes levied on those engaged in the field. The Minister said the BMICH, Boundary Meditation Center, Fort Floating Market, Gold Center, Racecourse, Lighthouse, Lotus Tower, Green Path, Dutch Hospital, Vihara Maya Devi Park, National Museum, Galle Face Zone, Galle Face, Mount Lavinia Beach, Bellanwila Attidiya Sanctuary, Gangarama Temple, Arcade Independence Square Zone and Port City are to be promoted under the Colombo District Urban Tourist Promotion Programme. "This includes facilitating the promotion of local product sales at tourist attractions, involving new entrepreneurs in tourism related products such as activating transport services to enable tourists to travel to tourist attractions within an hour," he said.