Rising stars in tourism shine
Sri Lanka is aiming to attract the numbers to meet its targets in tourist arrivals and this needs to be achieved irrespective of whether they are high spenders or not and staying at formal or informal accommodation units. The numbers matter whether in the formal or informal sector; high spenders can come “but we need the numbers as well,” Tourism Minister John Amaratunga said at the ‘Rising Star Awards’ held for the first time at the Sirimavo Bandaranaike Memorial Convention Centre on Tuesday by the Hoteliers Association of Sri Lanka (THASL).
The event was organised to recognise hotel staff and winners who were awarded a Rs. 250, 000 cheque and trophy
Most Outstanding Bell Hop of the year 2017: Mr. Vishvanadan Vinoprasanth (Cinnamon Lakeside), Most Outstanding Receptionist of the year 2017: Ms. T. Hettige Malisha (Jetwing Lighthouse), Most Outstanding Public Area Attendant of the year 2017: Mr. John De Croos (Cinnamon Red), Most Outstanding Room Attendant of the year 2017: Mr. M.S. Piumal Charuka (Jetwing Beach), Most Outstanding Steward of the year 2017: Mr. Selvarasu Kumar Shanker (Cinnamon Grand), Most Outstanding Kitchen Steward of the year 2017: Mr. R.P.V. Madushanka Gunarathne (Heritance Kandalama), Most Outstanding Bartender of the year 2017: Ms. L.B. Maduka Priyadarshani (Cinnamon Lakeside), Most Outstanding Pool Attendant of the year 2017: Mr. Dinuka Dhananjaya (Cinnamon Grand), Most Outstanding Telephone Operator of the year 2017: Ms. Julani Veronica (Cinnamon Red) and Most Popular Rising Star 2017: Mr. Vishan Wijewickrama (Heritance Kandalama) while the First and Second Runners- up were given certificates. The competitive contest comprising 46 candidates were vying under nine categories: Concierge, Receptionist, Public Area Attendant, Room Attendant, Steward, Kitchen Steward, Bartender, Pool Attendant and Telephone Operator. In addition, a most popular candidate was given an award based on SMS votes.
The praise-worthy event was well organised and brought to the fore the most outstanding young hoteliers that make every day’s stay at a hotel that much more worthy.
Minister Amaratunga pointed out that the problem was in finding ways and means of bringing in tourists to the country and in this respect, he said, the much-awaited promotional campaign would be forthcoming by the end of this year.
While the informal sector would also be regulated and charged taxes the government does not intend to kill it either, the minister said.
Commenting on the event, he said that the staff of the hotels formed the backbone of the industry and highlighted that they would like to see more hoteliers provide training programmes for their staff.
The minister also noted that today while there were only about 11,000 rooms the other accommodation units were provided by luxury hotels with 20-25 room capacity and the informal sector.
He pointed out that with most apartments also opening up to house tourists it was good and bad at the same time adding that “hoteliers will not be happy, but can’t help it.”
THASL President Sanath Ukwatte highlighted that there was a significant shortfall in the skilled labour in the tourism industry and this would be further aggravated due to the phenomenal growth in the supply of rooms.
He said they needed to support and enhance the young talent to achieve career success and become future leaders of the hospitality industry.
Special Projects Minister Sarath Amunugama representing President Maithripala Sirisena at the event said that the tourism industry would witness a rapid growth.
Minister Amunugama commended the future tourism leaders who have bagged the awards that evening and wanted hoteliers to increasingly engage in skills training and development.