SriLanka Tourism Confident Of 20-25 Per Cent Growth Post Tsunami

Neeti Chopra - New Delhi

Kavi Ghei

Although the recent devastating Tsunami has thrown the booming tourism industry of Sri Lanka into disarray, Sri Lanka Tourism is optimistic that tourist arrivals from its major source market India will see an early rebound. Says Kavi Ghei, director, Trac Representations, which represents the board in India, "Tourism in Sri Lanka will witness an upswing in 2005. The beauty of the destination is it bounces out of a crisis very quickly. The inherent qualities of the destination have not been lost. Although, it will take some time to recover, we are expecting an increase of 20 to 25 per cent in tourist arrivals from India this year."

Traditionally, November to March is the peak period for holidays on the sunny Sri Lankan beaches, most of which are now devastated by the tsunami wave. The southern and eastern parts of Sri Lanka were the most affected areas. Most of the leisure hotels especially the beach resorts were fully booked till December 26. After the incident occupancies have dropped considerably, although authorities are not divulging details.

However, things are returning back to normalcy fast with hotels that were damaged re-opening gradually. Operations have been restored at more than half of the affected hotels with restoration of more than 3,000 of the 5,600 hotel rooms affected by the waves. In an effort to revive tourism on the fast track, the board has started damage control measures. "Assessing the damaged properties and putting things in shape is on our priority list. Currently, we are trying to build up confidence among Indians and giving a transparent

information to the travellers about the day-to-day developments. On a regular basis, our groups are coming to India in order to update Indians about the safe atmosphere in Sri Lanka," informed Ghei.

In 2004, Sri Lanka witnessed 15 per cent increase in tourist arrivals from India as compared to previous year. In December alone, there was 25 per cent increase in the figures. Ask what initiatives is Sri Lanka Tourism taking to get back tourists from its biggest source market and Ghei replies candidly, "We are looking at additional promotions to rebuild tourist confidence. In addition, we are looking at taking the trade and media groups to Sri Lanka to give them a first hand experience of the destination - so that they can figure out themselves that the destination is safe. We are also in talks with SriLankan Airlines to introduce packages for Indian travellers." Ghei believes that there is no need to create sops as the Indians are responding back positively. Moreover, there has been an incredible show of unity from all levels of Sri Lanka's tourism industry, a determination to bounce back and put tourism on the road to recovery.