Hotels frown on “Happy Hour” ban
Hotels in Sri Lanka stirred over a ban imposed on “Happy Hour” have called on the tourism and Treasury authorities to address concerns raised by the National Authority on Tobacco and Alcohol (NATA).
The Hotels Association of Sri Lanka (THASL) has in a letter dated May 31 requested the authorities to intervene in this matter stating that this is a promotion practised by hotels across the world.
They have pointed out that “…at a time when tourism is increasing to the country and foreign exchange is flowing in to help the economy, we regret to inform you that hotels will not be able to adhere to such unfair requests by NATA.”
NATA in a letter to hoteliers has stated that they have received several complaints that hotels offer discounts on the purchase of alcohol products such as “Happy Hour” promotions. In this respect, the NATA has cited section 37(2) of the NATA Act No. 27 of 2006 stating that violation of it could result in each director of the establishment fined Rs.50,000 and deemed guilty of the offence.
THASL has pointed out that they are baffled as to why a “legitimate hotel which has purchased liquor and tobacco from legitimate suppliers” can be penalised thus for promoting the products through different promotional initiatives adopted by hotel companies.
It was pointed out that these promotional initiatives do not in any way compromise on the revenue sent to the government.
The letter also stated, “…the hotel industry is the highest revenue contributor to the government coffers from tourism and it is disappointing for the sector to receive such letters from authorities such as NATA.”
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