Sri Lanka Tourism industry lifeline for disaster zone

The Sri Lankan Tourist Board has appealed for tourists to return to the country, to help in the post-tsunami recovery. In a letter to the tourist trade in London, the Board’s director for the UK, Benelux and Ireland, Charmarie Maelge, says tourism is a lifeline for Sri Lanka. The sentiment is echoed in Thailand and other destinations affected by the disaster.

“Things in Sri Lanka are improving from a tourism point of view and there is a ray of hope,” she says. “We have had a substantial number of inquiries from tourists who are interested in visiting unaffected areas. We feel a strong level of loyalty towards the destination by tourists who are keen to help recover the industry.”

Government travel advisories have been relaxed and visits to the coastal areas of Negombo, Colombo and north of Kaluthara are possible in addition to the central regions and the hills.  “Sri Lanka’s hoteliers have committed to restoring all major beach hotels along the southern and eastern coastal belts to be fully operational by the end of February,” says Maelge.

“It is crucial for us to have ongoing tourism to Sri Lanka as a life line to the Sri Lankan economy and your assistance and support in this connection is greatly appreciated.”

The Tourist Authority of Thailand is working hard to restore confidence among visitors and has posted an online table showing the status of hotels in resorts. It points out that many are still in full operation in Phuket, Krabi and even on Phi Phi Island.

The Krabi Seaview resort is one such facility that is fully booked, where the management fears they could lose business in January and February. “Beside of the fact that we are fully operational, please try to convince your clients, friends, relatives and colleagues that they can only help to overcome this disaster by not cancelling their reservations,” said Andre Gysin, Krabo Seaview’s general manager. “Everybody here, especially Thai people, need to keep their job and need to earn money to survive! One more reason which should convince people to not cancel their holidays here in Ao Nang/Krabi.”

The resorts of Koh Samui and Pattaya, on Thailand’s east coast were not affected by the tsunami.

The UK travel industry is being urged to make its mark in raising funds for victims of the tsunami disaster. The independent travel agency, Travel Counsellors, has launched the UK Travel Industry Earthquake Appeal fund with a company donation of ÂŁ10,000 and an additional ÂŁ4,000 given by staff. “A central travel industry fund will give us all a focus for fundraising and I know the spirit of the industry means every single person and company will give as generously as they can,” said managing director Steven Byrne.
 
The Association of Independent Tour Operators (AITO) and its travel agents partner association have set up a fund of ÂŁ30,000 to provide urgent water purification in Sri Lanka. AITO has special links with Sri Lanka, which hosted the association’s annual conference in 2003. “The partner associations felt that they couldn’t spread their small donation across all the many destinations in need, but would be better making a material impact at one destination,” said a spokesman.   “Following its conference in 2003 in Sri Lanka, AITO has close ties with the country - hence the feeling that this will be best use of the immediately-available funds.”

(ÂŁ1=US$1.88)

By David Browne
LONDON (eTurboNews)

January 5, 2005   Posted in: Sri Lanka