Recent violence will not adversely affect tourism: Authorities
Certain groups involved in the tourist trade believe the impact of the recent incidents in the Kandy district will have a short-term detrimental effect on the industry. However, many countries have issued travel advisories to their citizens visiting Sri Lanka.
Chairman of the Sri Lanka Tourism Deve l o p m e n t Authority ( SLTDA) Kavan Ratnayake earlier expressed concern on the possible impact the events could have on the industry.
“In two years, the tourism industry will be the number one foreign exchange earner for the country. Therefore it is important that society at large understands the importance of preserving a peaceful environment to sustain and grow this business” he said.
Among countries which imposed advisories were the United Kingdom ( whose citizens account for the 3rd highest number of tourists visiting the country) surpassed only by China and India. The United States, Germany (4th highest), Canada, the United Arab Emirates, Australia, and European Union member states have also issued travel advisories to those wishing to visit the country. .
Most of these advisories have referred to the declaration of a nation-wide state of emergency.
“The Sri Lankan government declared an island-wide State of Emergency and curfews have been imposed in some regions due to communal unrest. Local authorities are authorised to declare local curfews. Further incidents are possible over the next few days,” the United States Embassy in Colombo said.
The United Kingdom under its Foreign Travel Advice section reported: “On 7 March, curfew powers were imposed in the Kandy administrative region following a number of violent incidents. If further curfews are imposed visitors should comply with local security requirements. Transport services to and from Kandy may continue to be disrupted. Certain social media sites and messaging platforms have been blocked or restricted nationwide.”
However, many in the tourist industry seemed more optimistic.
Samantha Ratnayake, President of the Kandy Hoteliers Association, said that at present the situation is under control and tourists in the Kandy City have not been affected.
“Tourists in my hotel and other hotels in our association have not reported any instance where they were inconvenienced”, he said.
A spokesman for SLTDA also said that tourists were not affected and there were no reports of any violent incidents targetting tourists or any inconvenience caused to them anywhere.
Regarding the impact on hotels in Kandy and its outskirts, Mr. Ratnayake said that most cancellations were in online bookings while bookings via travel and tour agents materialised.
The Kandy City Hotel and Queen’s Hotel Kandy reported a few cancellations mainly by foreigners.
A boutique Villa in Digana, however, received many cancellations of foreign bookings.
When asked how the industry planned on reacting to this situation especially with regard to the travel advisories, the Kandy Hoteliers Association said, “We have conveyed the message that it is safe in Kandy to the SLTDA, and they are working with the Foreign Ministry to inform the countries that imposed travel advisories to revise this as soon as possible.”