Safari drivers’ suffering worsens as economic crisis sees drop in tourist arrivals
More than 600 Yala National Park safari drivers are among those severely impacted by the ongoing economic crisis with the shortage of fuel and a drop in tourist arrivals threatening their livelihoods, Save Yala Association President Tharindu Gihan said.
Tourism as a whole had suffered in the Southern Province due to power cuts, gas and fuel shortages, he said, pointing to the 40 percent drop in tourist arrivals in February and March when compared to January.
“Tourism was picking up with the COVID-19 pandemic easing off. Many of the foreign tourists were impressed by the strict health guidelines that are in place but with the recent shortages many are
not keen to visit,” Mr. Gihan said.
He said many tourists who wanted to visit were inquiring if there were adequate power supplies to charge their phones, laptops and camera batteries. When they learn that there are power outages sometimes for 8-10 hours they are discouraged.
For the safari drivers, even catering to local tourists has become a difficult task with many having to spend hours in queues to get diesel for their vehicles.
“The drivers are up all night waiting in fuel queues. Even though the vehicle owner gives money to get fuel, the driver has to stay in the queue for hours and then start the safari. It’s becoming exhausting for them,” Mr. Gihan said.
He added that overall the Southern Province tourism which centred on Yala National Park had taken a beating following the imposition of import restrictions that have led to shortage of spare parts and tires for their jeeps.
The gas shortage, meanwhile, has led to the closure of many of the roadside eateries while smaller hotels too have shut down, unable to operate without power, he added.
“The Southern Province is one of the most popular tourist destinations and unfortunately the tourism authorities have done little to assist us in this situation. They should prioritise the issuing of fuel to safari jeeps and also lessen the hours when we have power cuts so that tourism can pick up again,” he said.