Kandy crisis “irreparable damage” to industry, says hoteliers
View(s):The Tourist Hotels Association of Sri Lanka (THASL) on Friday condemned any kind of violence in the country and considered the cancellations on bookings during the period of tension was an “irreparable damage.”
In a media release issued in the aftermath of the communal clashes that erupted in Kandy the previous week, THASL President Sanath Ukwatte noted that in an industry that considers itself one of the “biggest beneficiaries of peace” unity is important among all communities to move forward and urged the government to tighten laws and take “stern action against the perpetrators immediately.”
“It is much to be regretted that because of the sad incidents that took place in Kandy over the last weekend, the hotel industry has lost a large number of bookings and, above all, the incidents have done irreparable damage to the credibility of the destination,” the release stated.
The release also noted that exposure to “cultural exchanges among hospitality workers and guests offers increased opportunities to develop a vibrant tourism industry.”
Tourism is one of the most sensitive industries globally. A slight disturbance in the country can have a very significant impact on visitor arrivals. “We have experienced this in the past and will not encourage any acts which will take us back to the dark era in our history” said Mr. Ukwatte. “We want the industry to grow further and reap its full potential, which will benefit the entire country, as it is now spread across all regions of the country
THASL said it strongly believes that “we need to live in harmony in a multi ethnic, multi-racial and multi religious nation, and condemns any acts which will run counter to this belief”.