Are we ready for the tourists?
Stepping out of the shadows, Sri Lanka is revelling in her new found fame and glory as the world at large includes this tropical paradise as one of the “must visit” destinations of 2016. Lonely Planet, Fox News, Conde Nast Traveller, New York Times, Guardian and Forbes are just some of the distinguished media that have included Sri Lanka in their “Top 10” lists as a hot travel destination not to be missed.
Boutique hotels, star class resorts, guest houses and hostels all over the country are eager to enjoy the spoils of the increasing tourist arrivals. Speaking on this positive spin on Sri Lanka, London based respected travel writer and founder of Mr and Mrs Smith hotel guide Juliet Kinsman says “Sri Lanka delivers all your holiday cravings: delicious food, friendly service, spectacular landscapes from coast to countryside. There are plenty of respectable boutique and luxury hotels, charming villas and guesthouses, but in a dream world, I’d love more stylish-and-sustainable B&Bs. Hipper than a hostel, with local art, quality design and architecture and a great price tag. They wouldn’t need to be so contemporary in look, just modern in spirit.”
Persuaded by all the positive publicity Melanie Hawkes from London says “Sri Lanka has been on my list of ‘must see’ places for many years since being recommended by a friend. I was deterred in the past due to the civil war, but I've seen that it's recently been promoted by many international publications which motivates me to book a visit soon”
Owner of The Old Palm House, a villa in Galle, Tamara Gray adds “At last Sri Lanka is turning heads! From tropical rainforests rich with a kaleidoscope of fauna and flora to vast beaches where turtles and surfers share the breakers, extraordinary cultural sites and people whose smiles light your day, Sri Lanka is all things to everyone. And the food... the food alone deserves a 'must visit'"!
Recognising a gap in the market for unconventional holiday makers, astute entrepreneur Chandana Punchihewa and three like minded friends invested in opening Hangover Hostels a chain of hostels operating in Mirissa and Seeduwa with several planned across the island. “I saw an opportunity and a gap in the market for quality accommodation at an affordable price and having used varying accommodation types in many countries, decided a Hostel will be most suited to cater to the expected unconventional holiday makers. We have made arrangements this year with international hostel associations and youth organisations to bring in thousands of first time travellers to Sri Lanka and this new breed of travellers will bring immense benefit to the local economy. We hope to partner with other local hostels, guest houses and small hotels to manage this influx of visitors and expect the government to support the growing informal sector without over regulating” Chandana said.
While the good news is being celebrated, some in the industry are worried if the infrastructure is adequate to cope with increasing numbers. Allaying such fears is Vasantha Leelananda, Executive Vice President JKH, Head – Destination Management Sector. He says “Infrastructure has improved significantly over the past few years and is not a constraint to handle increased numbers. An area that needs focus and attention is to raise the bar on training and development of human resources. We are perceived to be overpriced but market forces will equate. There is a diverse accommodation portfolio to choose from according to affordability, which caters from discerning high end, to 3 to 4 star and the budget traveller,"
Apart from infrastructure, the lack of trained personnel is also a growing concern. Commenting on this issue Harpo Gunaratne, a veteran in the entertainment and hospitality industry says “Currently we do not have sufficient trained personnel mainly in the lower to middle categories - waiters, service staff, cooks etc. It’s a real concern with the planned expansion. Most trained staff obtain experience and leave overseas. It would be ideal if the Government could include subjects for tourism and the hospitality trade in the senior school curriculum to create interest at a student level thereby preparing young people to enter the hospitality industry"
Director of travel and hotel companies Angeline Ondaatje says “It's great that we have made so many awesome top ten lists in the past 3 years.” However concerned about the sites patronised by tourists she adds “Most of our heritage sights and archaeological places are already crowded, so we should develop a quota system per day, and develop the facilities to accommodate the envisaged numbers,”
Either way the inclusion of Sri Lanka in the top ten lists by the international media bodes well for the tourism industry and all those involved should pull together to give these visitors a trip of a lifetime and emulate our reputation as a serendipitous nation.
By Tina Edward Gunawardhana
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