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Tourism sector confident that new Covid variant ‘Omicron’ won’t derail revival plans
Sri Lanka’s tourism sector is hopeful that the new COVID-19 variant ‘Omicron’ will not cobble its fast-tracked plans to resuscitate the industry but admitted that it was possible some cases may enter the country.
Omicron, or the B.1.1.529 variant, was identified by South African scientists this week and there has been a significant spread there. From yesterday, travelers with a travel history (including transit) within 14 days to South Africa, Namibia, Zimbabwe, Botswana, Lesotho and Swaziland will not be permitted to land in Sri Lanka. And anyone who has arrived from those destinations is urged to undergo quarantine.
“We don’t have many South African tourists coming to Sri Lanka,” The Hotels Association of Sri Lanka’s (THASL) former president Sanath Ukwatte said. “However, there is a possibility that it might be seen in Sri Lanka soon, too.”
“If so, we will be able to deal with this situation as we have dealt with other variants,” he asserted. “Vaccination has been highly successful, too.” It was impossible to fully protect people from contracting the new strain but strict adherence to health guidelines will prevent a massive outbreak, he said.
In recent weeks, there has been an influx of tourists. All cultural and recreational sites are now open and visitors can access any part of the country with ease, subjected to certain protocols. One of these is the concept of a bio bubble, particularly for unvaccinated tourists.
There are concerns, however, that tourists often stray out of bio bubbles, placing both service providers and locals at risk. “Initially, when the bio bubble concept was introduced, there was strict adherence,” said National Tourist Drivers’ Association’s Vice President Callistus Amarakoon. “There are still a small number of unvaccinated tourists who follow this concept. They are subjected to quarantine and allowed to travel around the country after its completion. But the guidelines are not followed and some of them roam around freely.”
Originally, it was decided to ban tourists from using public transport. But this has been reversed. Tourism authorities should ensure rules and regulations are upheld, Mr Amarakoon said.
| Tourist guides are an unhappy lot Sri Lanka’s tourist guides are unhappy. “We have a wage issue going on for three years,” said Sri Lanka Institute of National Tourist Guide Lecturers (SLINTGL) Acting President D.A.S.D Arachchige. “Our daily basic fee for a tour is Rs 2,500. We are severely underpaid for a job that lasts 24-hours.” The Institute has asked for an increment of US$ 50 a day as they now get just US$ 10-15. The Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority (SLTDA) and SLINTGL then settled upon US$ 35. But the Sri Lanka Association of Inbound Tour Operators was not on board. “Increments happen every two years,” said Immediate Past President Mahen Kariyawasam. “The last one was from 2017–2019 and should have been renewed in May 2019 but was impossible due to the drop of tourism after the Easter attacks.” “However, it will be raised to Rs 4,000 a day from January 1, 2022,” he said. “That will continue till December 31, 2023. This is an increase of 62.5 percent.” Guides with more skills–such as fluency in foreign languages–were paid higher. Guidelines for tourists arriving in SL No minimum duration of stay is required for tourists arriving here. Travellers can get a tourist visa online. Those who have completed 14 days after the recommended doses of COVID-19 vaccine and arrive with a negative COVID-19 PCR report within 72 hours of embarkation will be considered fully-jabbed. Any vaccine type is accepted by Sri Lankan authorities. Moreover, fully vaccinated travelers are exempt from the mandatory COVID-19 local insurance cover. But visitors must have comprehensive travel insurance covering health and other expenses related to COVID-19. Unvaccinated/ partially vaccinated individuals can pay for on-arrival PCR test at USD 40 per test and will also be permitted to travel within the safety of the Tourism Bio Bubble. Unvaccinated children below the age of 12 are allowed entry into the country with no PCR test on arrival. | |
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