Sri Lanka promoted as transit zone for FIFA World Cup
Country’s tourism industry working on converting the hotels in Negombo as a lodging centre and fan zones for the overseas FIFA World Cup spectators, dismissed doubts and questions over the convenience, Chalaka Gajabahu, Chairman of Sri Lanka Tourism Promotion Bureau, said.
He also emphasised the island would still serve as a better transit-like spot for these fans using the country for a sojourn stay.
The tourism ministry, along with the industry partners, are looking to offer Sri Lanka as a fan stoppage point for the spectators, to shuttle between Qatar, the host country, and Sri Lanka, during their country’s matches.
When asked whether this would be convenient, even a week or two into the world’s second most watched sporting event, Gajabahu was adamant the nation would be a better bet, because the country intends to offer affordable packages.
“Qatar has only 40,000 rooms and that is going at a premium. Eight stadiums and specially during the league stages, there’ll be three games-a-day. Hence affordability is a big question. Next destination will be flying to Dubai. But Dubai is at an ultra-premium, now”.
Organisers of this project have written off UAE, a neighbouring nation for Qatar, as the next best alternative, entirely due to the “ultra-premium” accommodation rates, as labelled by Gajabahu.
They also claim other adjoining countries namely Saudi Arabia, Bahrain and Oman, too, don’t serve the purpose owing to certain traditional restrictions those countries’ carry.
“The South American and European fans will want to watch it while having a mug of beer. Whereas, fans will be forced to go to different zones to watch it with freedom. But in Sri Lanka, those would be possible as we would be setting up fan zones along the beaches of the Negombo hotels”.
Another practical problem posed by this project would be the fatigue factor for the fans. Frequenting between the two countries, taking up hours including both the airport procedures, also stands in the way.
Responding to this, Gajabahu explained, “Yes, we’re trying to fast-track. The Minister (Harin Fernando for Tourism) is in conversation with the aviation and airport to fast-track them as well. It’s under discussion with all the related entities”.
“The neighbouring countries will be at a very high premium. Certain football fans will find it difficult to go with those premium rates. So they might spend an extra two, three hours shuttling in, in between”.
“Even if we get a smaller number because of the black image created all over the world of Sri Lanka, even 500 fans coming in would be a huge victory,” he expressed confidence.
Minister Fernando announced over last two-days, on Twitter, Qatar airways agreeing to increase the flights and Gulf Airlines coming forward to the support the FIFA zones.
Meanwhile, President of The Hotels Association of Sri Lanka, M. Shanthikumar, said in case Negombo does not suffice to accommodate all fans, Colombo would come into the project.
This was in response t o the query whether isn’t Colombo considered.
Colombo, particularly, the Colpetty area alone, has up to seven high-end hotels.