Uncertainty and confusion at Sri Lanka tourism

With uncertainty prevailing over the incumbent Tourism Minister’s presence or lack of it, officials were awaiting the new boards being appointed next week in the midst of concerns by the industry over future bookings.

There was confusion at the Tourism Ministry in the wake of the subject Minister Wasantha Senanayake claiming he would be submitting his resignation the previous week but no such letter issued until on Wednesday when it was reportedly stated he had attended the cabinet meeting. Amidst the confusion, Ministry Secretary S. Hettiarachchi confirmed on Friday that Mr. Senanayake continues as the minister.

The Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority ( SLTDA), the Sri Lanka Tourism Promotion Bureau ( SLTPB), the Sri Lanka Conventions Bureau ( SLCB) and the Sri Lanka Institute of Tourism and Hotel Management (SLITHM) whose boards were dissolved since the change that took place on October 26, are likely to receive new boards next week, it is learnt.

SLTDA officials noted that they continue to tell the world that the current situation is a purely political matter with no impact on tourists or travel to tourist sites.

However, there has been a drop in bookings during the peak end of November and December months that is the commencement of the winter season in addition to a number of future cancellations, the industry notes. Sri Lanka Hoteliers Association President Sanath Ukwatte told the Business Times that they were monitoring future bookings which have become a concern due to the fact that this is the peak season for tourist travel to Sri Lanka. Meanwhile at the respective institutions the day-today functions continue to take place with plans already underway to gear up for the international travel fair in Berlin, ITB, in March next year. While the industry and the authorities are readying plans for the fair the scheduled global promotion campaign is unlikely to go ahead due to delays in obtaining funding from the Treasury for the 3-year global campaign at a cost of Rs.3 billion. In addition, SLTDA Director General Upali Ratnayaka told the Business Times on Monday that they were still awaiting approvals on next year’s plans and budgets that were two key factors that would be on hold until the current impasse continues. A number of other projects were also said to be on hold due to the delays in obtaining approvals and meeting up with the scheduled tasks. At the moment officials note that they could continue to function under the purview of the Ministry Secretary but major decisions were unlikely to be handled. Authorities state they could continue to function without the relevant boards being appointed for only about two months.