Sri Lankan travellers fear Omicron shutdowns
Amidst uncertainty over a possible global shutdown Sri Lankans fear travelling on tour packages offered by outbound travel agents.
With all the uncertainties and the rules that keep shifting people are uncertain of travelling out of the country, Travel Agents Association of Sri Lanka past President and Mackinnons Travels CEO Trevor Rajaratnam told the Business Times.
He explained that today most Sri Lankans were travelling to Dubai as individuals and even families were heading to Singapore and Thailand but not on group packages.
“I don’t think anybody wants to tie themselves into anything in advance,” Mr. Rajaratnam explained adding that it will take a while for people to resume their confidence in travel overseas.
At present people are not travelling to the extent that the industry is used to and it was pointed out that not even 50 per cent of the traffic that used to travel are doing so today.
“Today health authorities kind of control how the world should live,” he said noting that countries are closing doors as a result of which Sri Lankan travellers are unlikely to make long term plans except for immediate plans.
Meanwhile, others in the industry point out that while there was a substantial number of groups and individuals making outbound travel for October, November and December, however since the surge of the Omicron variant of COVID-19 there is a decline.
Inquiries are continuing but people are reluctant to make booking since countries are closing and there is uncertainty in selecting their tours as well, it was pointed out.
One industry professional pointed out that even the group packages have reduced from 50 to about 20-25 persons per group.
With the Christmas markets in destinations like Austria, Germany and Bavaria closing and only that in Montreal remaining open people are said to be getting worried and do not prefer travelling during this time, he noted. Holland, Belgium, Luxemburg remain closed and even France is said to be considering whether to close.
Travel agents also point out that although UK is not considering closing; however with their cases on the rise there is some uncertainty in travel since they have already stated that those arriving should quarantine for two days before they receive their PCR reports.
People still continue to travel to Dubai, since the Dubai Expo is ongoing, and since restrictions are minimal there.
Travellers making inquiries want to know the consequences if further restrictions are applied in those countries, it was stated.
Travel agents stated that when the country opened in October they were hopeful things would turn around and there will be an outflow, however, it does not seem to be the case.
Moreover, travel agents
note that overseas travel is further impeded since banks are tight on issuing foreign exchange to clients.
“Now you can’t get even US$500 since the banks don’t have money,” one agent said adding “we are going to face a bleak picture” as expectations have dimmed for 2022.
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