Minister backs city hoteliers reopening nightclubs

• Requests resumption of operations to retain tourists in Colombo
• Guarantees hoteliers no unruly elements will disrupt operations 
• THASL lauds suggestion, says it will help uplift local talent, make capital vibrant again

Tourism Development Minister John Amaratunga yesterday offered his support to Colombo hoteliers to recommence nightclub operations to retain more tourists in the capital and provide them with a wider range of enjoyable activities.

“Colombo hoteliers constantly complain that tourists don’t stay in the city. Why don’t you open up the nightclubs? Unless there are attractions, events and entertainment, it is difficult to retain tourists in Colombo,” he said, addressing a news conference in Colombo on Tuesday. 

Noting that there were no restrictions to open up the nightclubs in the hotels, he urged the hoteliers to resume operations not till 9 p.m. but at least till midnight.

“The trend is that tourists are looking at informal sector places in Arugam Bay, Ella and down south, which have become popular among tourists visiting the country due to the lack of entertainment activities in Colombo,” he added.

The Minister said the Colombo hotels had to limit their entertainment business due to continuous misbehaviour by locals. “These clubs were functioning very well, but sons of some politicians were misbehaving and picked fights every day. As a result the hotels had to limit their operations and pay the price for it. But children of the present Government are well-behaved and they don’t resort to such third-class activities, I can guarantee it. That is why I urge city hotels to recommence nightclub operations,” he stressed.

Welcoming the proposal put forward by the Minister, the Hotels Association of Sri Lanka (THASL) said this would not only help hoteliers in increasing occupancy rate and income, but also encourage local talent and generate more job opportunities in the entertainment business.

“We are fully supportive of the proposal and some of the member hotels have already resumed operations. This will enable us to make Colombo exciting again,” THASL President Sanath Ukwatte told Daily FT.

He pointed out that nightclubs was just one element and there were many more aspects that the hotels could offer in making Colombo a vibrant city again. 

“A lot of local entertainers were facing difficulties in not having enough venues at which to perform, hence the move will definitely help them. It will also encourage more local talent to enter the entertainment business and create more employment opportunities,” he added.

However, Ukwatte said it was necessary to amend some of the archaic laws in catering to the diverse lifestyles of tourists. (CdeS)