English cricket tour boon to Lankan tourism

Sri Lanka’s tourism industry is expecting a better winter season, beginning next month, after a drop in the early part of the year as the upcoming cricket series with England brings in travellers from there in addition to other visitors.

Industry officials told reporters this week that the 40%-30% drop at the beginning of the year is expected to reduce considerably with visitors flying in especially for the upcoming cricket matches with England. The importance of the European market was emphasized by Hiran Cooray, Managing Director of Jetwing Hotels Ltd, who added that since these tourists have a long average length of stay, resort hotels would benefit greatly.

Cooray and other officials were briefing the media on industry issues. George Michael Additional Secretary to the Tourism Ministry explained the recent Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) signed with the Iranian government saying it would implement a programme of mutual cooperation through the structuring of ‘joint work groups’.

Officials referred to the recently concluded World Travel Market (WTM) in London, saying it drew some 300,000 visitors. In a situation where climate change is becoming a phenomenon that can no longer be ignored, the importance of eco-tourism was also echoed at the WTM. Speaking on responsible tourism, Prema Cooray, Chairman of the Sri Lanka Conventions Bureau said that Sri Lanka’s “Earth Lung- Carbon Clean Sri Lanka” initiative thrust was publicized in this field as issues such as carbon-offsetting and global warming now affect tourists, and especially long-haul travellers.

Abbas Esufally, Group Director of Hemas Holdings, said Sri Lanka figures very strongly in the UK market as a prime destination and noted that there were no questions regarding the war. It was emphasized that foreign travel agents are not reluctant to channel tourists into the country, but that it is the tourists themselves who are hesitant. The need for a change in the consumer’s perspective was mentioned. The reason for the travel operators and agents positive view was said to be the fact that no tourist group or destination has been directly targeted by the LTTE as yet.

“Terrorism is prevalent everywhere, it is no more or no less in Sri Lanka,” said Esufally.