Twin bombs blast hopes of tourism boost

Tourist arrivals are set to dip further following last week’s twin bombings in Colombo although the presence of the English cricket team may give a boost to the tourism industry with spectators and journalists from UK already here and more expected.Since April this year many tour operators have been complaining that the situation was deteriorating and the incidents in Narahenpita and Nugegoda, that saw 20 dead and scores injured, have once again triggered cancellation of tourist arrivals.

Havelock Travels manager Priyanka Wijeynanda said the situation, which was bleak with many cancellations throughout the year, would only get worse.“This month there haven’t been any cancellations because there haven’t been any bookings,” she said.

Mrs. Wijeynanda said in spite of the England cricket team’s tour of Sri Lanka, only 30% of the Havelock Travels fleet was operational.“Regular visitors to Sri Lanka and Sri Lankans who come down for Christmas will probably come here despite the attacks because they have a better understanding of the situation. However, others would be afraid to come due to all the travel bans and advisories,” she said.

Airwing Tours (Pvt) Ltd. Chairman Mervin Fernandopulle said it was to soon to assess the effects of the twin blasts.“We expect things will pick up in December especially due to the England cricket team being here, but we haven’t yet had any cancellations following these latest incidents,” he said.

However striking a positive tone, Hiran Cooray, President Tourist Hoteliers Association of Sri Lanka (THASL) said people are better informed of the situation and would therefore not refrain from coming here during the peak season. Mr. Cooray said the ongoing cricket series had already brought in 111 foreign journalists and three foreign TV crews.

“We have had about five cancellations following the recent attacks but this is minimal compared to the number of tourists coming in,” he said. He said tourism arrivals had improved by 20% compared to last year.