Tourism industry loses cruises to Red Sea crisis
Sri Lanka’s tourism industry is pinning all their hopes on the global promotion campaign that needs to be kicked off in the first quarter of next year to see a substantial growth since the sector is facing other challenges beyond their control.
Sri Lanka Tourism Promotion Bureau (SLTPB) Chairman Buddhika Hewawasam has assured the industry that the government hopes to kick off the promotional campaign as planned in the first quarter of next year and that is likely to generate a substantial increase in travellers to the destination without which only a normal or organic growth is likely to be generated next year, Sri Lanka Inbound Tour Operators (SLAITO) President Nalin Jayasundera told The Sunday Times Business on Friday.
He noted that already they have lost about 10-12 cruises that were scheduled to call at the Colombo Port due to the Red Sea crisis.
These cruises are said to have got cancelled due to the ships now avoiding travel via the Red Sea due to rebel attacks. “They were scheduled to be here during the winter season,” he said.
He also noted that they would like to see the government consider extending the waiving off of the airport tax at the Mattala Airport in a bid to attract more charter operations.
Mr. Jayasundera pointed out that they need to extend it as it will help to revive the industry.
Currently they have given these concessions for two years but the industry request is to extend it for at least one more year, he said.
This is vital for the industry as travellers on these flights are likely to spend around US$180 per day and these operations face stiff competition from other competing destinations.
At present there are six daily flights per week operating from Russia for the winter season, Mr. Jayasundera said adding that two flights per week are operated by Polish charter flights and a few other charters are being generated from the CIS bloc with limited operations during the season.
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