Sri Lanka gets more footfall
View(s):While Sri Lanka is seeing an improvement in arrivals as the numbers continue to rise over the months, winter projections are likely to see a 50 per cent drop in tourists.
Jetwing Symphony Chairman Hiran Cooray said that during the month of August occupancies in most of their hotels except a few villas were around 60-70 per cent. The ratio of guests is 60:40 for overseas and locals.
In this respect, tourism destination areas like Ella, Mirissa, Unawatuna and Galle are doing well, he noted.
In fact he pointed out that though a drop is expected in arrivals for winter compared to last year however going by the circumstances they expect a good season.
“We expect the winter to be quite good – we are hoping to move back to the normal pricing from December,” Mr. Cooray explained noting that they would be doing away with the discounts from the end of the year.
He noted that the main reason for tourism to pick up is because of the tremendous support from the international media, tour operators and in this respect, August is a classic example.
However, Tourist Hotels Association of Sri Lanka (THASL) President Sanath Ukwatte said that they expect at least a 50 per cent drop in arrivals.
He pointed out that tour operators are very confident of Sri Lanka and are happy to sell Sri Lanka but what they say is that tourists say they don’t want to book Sri Lanka.
In this regard, we need to change the mindset of the people and that can only be done through a proper advertising and PR campaign, Mr. Ukwatte noted.
(SD)