Sri Lanka Tourism is currently facing a crisis due to the dearth of rooms to accommodate foreign tourists visiting the country, Deputy Tourism Minister Lakshman Yapa Abeywardena said.
With rooms being targeted for construction to meet the growing demand of increased tourist arrivals to Sri Lanka, it was pointed out at a media briefing held in Colombo on Tuesday on the topic of “Sancharaka Udawa” that the industry was fighting hard to provide adequate accommodation for visitors, the deputy minister said.
He pointed out that the industry was without a place to accommodate some Russian visitors to the country in December although they eventually managed to provide. Tourist arrivals to the country topped 855, 975 in 2011 and the industry is targeting one million arrivals and revenue of approximately US$1 billion this year. Last year the industry was able to complete only 600 new rooms and have targeted 1000 new rooms by the end of 2012, Mr. Abeywardena said.
Over 60,000 tourists had already arrived in the country by the third week of January, Mr. Abeywardena said adding that the industry was likely to achieve 100,000 arrivals within the first month alone. On arrival visas had generated an income of US$393, 865, he noted.
Sri Lanka Tourism Chairman Nalaka Godahewa speaking at the occasion said that while they continue to identify adventure sports and other activities to assist tourists wanting to engage in sporting activities, one of the “biggest problems is the lack of rooms.”
He noted that currently they were also providing home stays for tourists to be able to have a feel of the culture and live among the Sri Lankan people and understand their way of life. The home stays project was also adding to the room capacity of the country that is being increased currently. At present there are over 500 registered home stays under Sri Lanka Tourism. Meanwhile, the organization has begun preparation for the “Sancharaka Udawa” the trade fair that would bring small and medium enterprises involved in providing services to the tourism industry under one roof.
This year’s participation had increased with 150 stalls set up and Sri Lanka Association of Inbound Tour Operators (SLAITO) President Nilmin Nanayakkara said that while only 30% are repeat participants all others are new product manufacturers.The exhibition scheduled this year will take place on January 31 at the Ceylon Continental Hotel from 3.00pm – 9.00pm. |
E-mail
