Jetwing’s Hiran says bilateral ties way forward

As hoteliers await a direction from authorities to welcome tourists they urge for bilateral ties to generate traffic, tourism authorities have stated July to be the reopening month for tourist arrivals.

Veteran hotelier and Jetwing Chairman Hiran Cooray speaking with the Business Times on Tuesday said: “If we get into certain bilateral agreements from countries that have managed this pandemic well Sri Lanka could attract citizens from countries like Australia, New Zealand, Vietnam and South Korea.”

These are not countries from which Sri Lanka has been generating tourist traffic and with no promotions possible under the circumstances authorities need to work bilaterally to bring in guests.

Tourists should also not be harassed at the airport upon arrival; Mr. Cooray said noting that right now it takes nearly six hours to clear passengers from the airport.

While there will be about 50 per cent of people that will never travel again, he explained there are the others who are the more adventurous ones who want to feel that they are in control of their lives and want to step out.

But, Mr. Cooray noted “until those restrictions ( like at the airport) are lifted we can’t expect tourists to come here.” In addition, tourists would not be interested in flying to a destination that requires quarantining arrivals.

Currently, Jetwing has given out four of its hotels all in Negombo for quarantine purposes and no guests are said to be staying at their hotels around the country.

He commended Sri Lanka’s approach in that the authorities have managed to contain the situation as right now there are no areas infected with the COVID-19.

While there will be about 50 per cent of people that will never travel again, he explained there are the others who are the more adventurous ones who want to feel that they are in control of their lives and want to step out.