UPDATE: Tourists cancel checking-in, advised to move out of Kandy

At least 10 per cent of tourists scheduled to visit Kandy have made cancellations ahead of their travel plans in the wake of the tension experienced in the district during the past few days.

Kandy Hoteliers Association President Samantha Ratnayaka speaking with Times Online said that a few hotels had reported 5-10 per cent cancellations by tourists scheduled to holiday in Kandy.

In fact most of the travel agents were said to have issued instructions to their travelers to move out of Kandy due to curfew being repeatedly imposed in the district.

Moreover, the three cultural shows per day performed at the Kandy YMPA, Peradeniya Oakray hotel premises and the Cultural Centre close to the Dalada Maligawa were cancelled for the last two days. But to ensure the show goes on hoteliers continued to provide these shows at the respective hotels visitors were staying in.

Most visitors did not have travel disruptions within the city as they were provided special passes and even the armed forces that had moved in had allowed them to tour the Dalada Maligawa, Mr. Ratnayake said.

But travellers were restricted from moving around since most traders, tourist shops and restaurants were closed from time to time. Hotels operating in the district continued to remain open.

Holidaymakers were increasingly inconvenienced when access to social media was restricted by authorities, Mr. Ratnayake said adding that hotels provided their Internet services for use to get in touch with their homes.

He noted that though restrictions were placed on social media access to individuals, corporate clients were not affected by it.

February to April is the peak season for the Kandy hoteliers and in this context most hotels continued to remain full, he said. (SD)