Sri Lanka’s tourism industry will be adequately regulated to enhance its sustainability by assessing its needs and priorities, a key UN environmental expert said recently. “We are doing a survey that analyses the priorities and needs for sustainable tourism,” United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) Tourism and Environment Programme Officer Helena Rey De Assis told the [...]

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UNEP surveys to establish new regulations for Sri Lanka tourism

By Sunimalee Dias
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Sri Lanka’s tourism industry will be adequately regulated to enhance its sustainability by assessing its needs and priorities, a key UN environmental expert said recently.

“We are doing a survey that analyses the priorities and needs for sustainable tourism,” United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) Tourism and Environment Programme Officer Helena Rey De Assis told the Business Times in an interview.

She explained that they would be engaged in providing a strategic base in the green economy sectors and would look for ways to provide incentives
This project is expected to contribute towards making recommendations for the authorities to bring about regulations that would be essential in the future in this area, Ms. De Assis said.

A ‘shared responsibility’ is required in developing tourism, she pointed out adding that UNEP were experts in this particular area and would be able to provide the necessary expertise having culled from their experience in countries under similar projects like Albania, Serbia, Brazil, Costa Rica, France, and the Mezzo American Region that includes Mexico, Honduras and Guatemala.

Following similar surveys and projects initiated in these countries the UNEP has found that most businesses lack a clear understanding of the concept of tourism. It was also observed that while small businesses and communities remain marginalised they also did not meet with the country’s priorities and were over reliant on nature based- assets. In addition, these businesses were found to have no idea of what the outcome must be at the destinations following the use of these concepts.

In this respect, the UNEP has identified the priorities as per the requirements of that particular country, she said.
The Sri Lanka survey would ensure that all related local communities would be involved in the project thereby ensuring increased integration within the industry, it was pointed. At the conclusion of the survey, which would be completed in three weeks, it would be handed over to the relevant authorities and the private sector.

Ms. De Assis explained that Sri Lanka has an edge above other destinations due to its diversity and in this respect; a sustainable tourism product is required. She drew parallels with only Costa Rica in terms of the diverse and compactness associated with Sri Lanka.

Holidaying in Sri Lanka needs improvement, say visitors

A panel discussion at the event. Pic by M. D. Nissanka

Two visitors to the island who are today also residents aired concerns and highlighted areas for improvement in the tourism industry. They were speaking at a forum organised by the European Chamber of Commerce on “The Global Partnership for Sustainable Tourism” in Colombo last week.

Belgian national Dominique Tanghe commented on the levels of service pointing out that it was not equal to price and noted that small things do matter in particular table etiquette, which in his opinion was not clearly understood by those serving him.

Regulation is a requirement and moreover the small and medium scale business should be regulated as well, it was pointed out.
In respect, of walking around the hotel he noted that unlike other countries Sri Lanka lacked any bars or pubs or restaurants next to the hotel with no walking tracks even up in the hills, as it was a favoured past-time of many visitors to the island.

In addition, it was observed that public facilities at cultural sites need improvement and highlighted the issue of opening times at these sites.

He explained that though it was stated they open by 7.00am it was not the case especially at Sigiriya and in addition rates too have gone up. Other tourist attractions need be opened up for the more adventurous traveller, he noted adding that this would provide more things to see apart from the pre-designed tours within the country. Ms. Sabine Klienssasser from Austria complained of the harassment of women and especially the indifference of attitude towards a “white woman.”

She pointed out that as travellers who had saved up their money for a well-deserved vacation they expect value for money and reliability on arrival.

Interestingly, it was pointed out that local hotels were overpriced in that the total spend for eight nights in Sri Lanka could be spent on 14 nights in Malaysia.

Waiting time for service to follow after orders are made and the bill to arrive, the Austrian national noted, took too long.
Other speakers at the event brought to the fore issues pertaining to sustainability and responsibility in the conduct of tourism industry businesses. It was pointed out that while regulation was essential there was a need for authorities to ensure that wildlife parks and other national sites function without hindrance.

Economic Development Ministry Director Tourism A.B.N. Ashraf addressing the forum referred to a World Bank programme that would target 300 SMEs under a matching grants plan for those that were not registered either.

Targets are also set at achieving US$3 billion by 2016 with nearly 2500 direct and indirect jobs within the sector.

More FDIs would also be attracted since it is believed that the local companies and groups alone could not provide the needed impetus for the industry. In this respect, foreign investments were vital for the development of the industry with cross support between iconic brands, he said.

Currently, Sri Lanka was continuing to attract mostly low spenders into place like Potuvil, but Mr. Ashraf observed they need to find more high spenders to come visit Sri Lanka.

 

 




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