Hoteliers pessimistic, not so Tourist Board

By Malik Gunatilleke

Tourist hotels and resorts in and around Yala have recorded an almost 0% occupancy rate following violent attacks on civilians and army personnel in the Hambantota District recently. Manager of the popular hotel Yala Village, Conrad Delala Motte, said out of 511 bookings 336 had been cancelled as of October 15.

“The hotel is currently at 0% occupancy, although we forecasted 60% for November at the beginning of the year,” he said. Yala Village which had enjoyed an occupancy rate of 80% in August, is witnessing a 5% rate for November so far. It has reportedly lost about Rs.6.8 million in revenue.

“Two British couples checked in two days ago but the British High Commission informed them that they should leave the hotel immediately or their insurance would be rendered null and void,” he said. Mr. Delala Motte said they didn’t expect the situation to pick up although December was the peak season for tourism.

However Tourist Board chairman Renton De Alwis sounded more optimistic. He said because the sanctuary was closed, tourism in Yala would obviously suffer although domestic tourism to areas such as Thissamaharama and Kataragama would not be affected.

The Sunday Times found some hoteliers in the southern coast reluctant to comment on the situation as they had reportedly been given guidelines by the Tourist Board. Mr. De Alwis while denying that such guidelines had been given added that some hoteliers’ associations had been told to direct the media to the Tourist Board when seeking information on sensitive matters, to prevent false reporting.