Tourism industry to face cosy winter under chilly conditions
The tourism industry is readying to welcome its winter traffic following a successful roadshow in India that has sparked new bookings; but hotels are trying to overcome some of the key challenges faced by the sector.
Fuel and food are available enough to keep the home fires burning but authorities need to heed to certain issues faced by the industry to keep the sector afloat.
Tourist Hotels Association of Sri Lanka (THASL) President M. Shanthikumar explained that the required foreign exchange for the country can only be brought into the country if the adequate promotional campaigns are carried out to create awareness among the consumers of the possibility of holidaying in the country.
He noted that the regular markets are showing an interest and from December they expect the numbers to arrive in Sri Lanka as the land has now become a “value for money” destination where travellers will be able to spend less than what they would back home.
Some of the key challenges that continue to haunt the industry are the extension on their moratoriums which is being handled by the respective banks.
Mr. Shanthikumar explained that they need the authorities to support them by allowing them to be charged for electricity under the industrial tariff rate as opposed to the super tariff they have to pay now. Negotiations in this regard are currently underway.
Hotels also continue to look for new workers due to the high staff turnover and this would mean they have to continue recruiting.
He also noted that despite the removal of the travel advisories this information needs to be conveyed to the prospective travellers.
In this regard, the authorities need to fast track the PR activities and go ahead with the long overdue digital global promotion, he said.
| Mt. Lavinia Hotel opens after two years! | |
| Mt. Lavinia Hotel, the lady by the beach is opening for travellers from December 1 having been closed to tourists since the pandemic for nearly two years. Mt. Lavinia Hotel Chairman Sanath Ukwatte told the Business Times that they were closed to travellers since the pandemic for nearly two years and then borders were also closed due to COVID regulations. As a result he said, “We couldn’t plan anything.” He noted that they are currently reaching out to their regular guests and will gradually be marketing themselves overseas to attract more visitors. The former THASL President also stated that the bad perception due to petrol queues needs to be addressed by engaging in a PR exercise since people are frightened to come here and get stuck here. Private public partnership is required to improving the country’s image globally, he noted adding that the 1 per cent Tourist Development Levy (TDL) needs to be used and adopt a PR strategy so as to “reinvent the wheel.” |
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