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Tuesday, 5 January 2021 01:59 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}
By Charumini de Silva
The private sector yesterday welcomed the resumption of tourism via the pilot project with Ukrainian tourists, whilst urging greater adherence to COVID-19 guidelines.
In a rare show of unity, all industry bodies at a joint media briefing expressed their fullest support to the post-COVID tourism resumption with the necessary health and safety guidelines.
“We are thankful for the Government for opening up the tourism industry first with a pilot project to understand the new changes in the sector due to the pandemic. We are a vast industry with many stakeholders and each of them have their own opinion, but we need each other to quickly revive the industry.
“Therefore, the pilot project is a great learning experience for the industry to adapt to the new changes in the tourism sector,” Sri Lanka Association of Inbound Tour Operators (SLAITO) President Thilak Weerasinghe told journalists.
Admitting that there have been lapses in executing the pilot project despite the strict guidelines, he pointed out that all stakeholders took proactive measures to roll out the operations without disrupting the project.
“Every mistake was a new learning experience for all of us. If there was no pilot project, we probably wouldn’t have known how to handle such situations. The idea of a pilot project is to learn the mistakes and quickly rectify before we formally open borders for international tourists from all over the world and be self-equipped to handle any situation,” he added.
Weerasinghe said the industry has shown great resilience over the past, but the double whammy from Easter Sunday attacks and COVID-19 pandemic, sector was one of the worst affected where stakeholders of small, medium and large suffer with zero income.
“Tourism industry is supported by so many interconnected sectors. We need skilled people to maintain the industry and without them it will die a natural death. It is important that we safeguard these stakeholders to revive the industry,” he said.
SLAITO President said that the objective of the pilot project which was put into practice after six-month long deliberations with stakeholders and health authorities to revive the industry gradually, identify and rectify the lapses of the project without putting the citizens and the country at stake.
He said that the tourism industry contributes to over 10% of the country’s gross domestic product (GDP) from both formal and informal sectors, where over two million people are dependent on the industry.
“Tourism industry livelihoods matter,” Weerasinghe stressed.
SLAITO President said from the total 38 flights expected under the pilot project it has now come down to only 12 flights, because some of the Russian charter operators had to pull out as authorities took time to finalise the guidelines and protocols.
He also clarified that the total COVID-infected Ukrainian tourists are only two and not six as earlier reported in the media.
When asked if Sri Lanka Tourism Chairperson Kimarli Fernando was not in favour of the program, Weerasinghe said her concerns were understood as her intention is also to rebuild the industry. “Despite the protocols there are a few who don’t obey the rulebook. She warned on the risk factors, but as industry all stakeholders, as one voice, as a group, we informed her on the developments, whilst rectifying all the shortcomings of the program,” Weerasinghe added.
Sri Lanka Tourism Advisory Council Chairman Hiran Cooray categorically said the country will soon allow commercial flights and open its borders formally to welcome international tourists this month, whilst commending all stakeholders for their commitment to continue in this sensitive industry with zero income, but with full of hope.
“Post-COVID, I was able to travel around the country and engage with all stakeholders of the industry. Despite having no income, these people have continued to stay on in this industry which shows resilience.
“The socioeconomic impact of this pandemic is huge and majority of the stakeholders are committed to revive the industry conforming to all the health guidelines. Owners of businesses are of no use without the workers. They are the lifeline of these businesses and we must all work together to protect them and recover the industry,” he said.
Cooray also expressed confidence that the tourism industry will bounce back as always, but it will take a little longer time than in other past incidents, COVID-19 is global. He said as soon as the Government formally announces the resumption of commercial flights, international travellers will be allowed as long as they follow the guidelines outlined by the Ministry of Health.
“Tourists from European Union (EU) countries who have visited Sri Lanka before will be among the first batches to come once commercial flights resume operations, as Chinese, Indians and Japanese travellers fit with the guideline of minimum 14-day stay. EU tourists also will not travel immediately, but EU travellers will come gradually especially for wellness tourism there is a lot of potential,” he added.
The Hotels Association of Sri Lanka (THASL) President Sanath Ukwatte the pilot project helped the members to gradually commence operations after the complete halt post-COVID. He said the pandemic is unprecedented and for Sri Lanka’s Tourism industry, the twin crises of the Easter Sunday Attacks and COVID-19 has been crippling.
“We are hopeful that our industry will begin its path to recovery in 2021. The pilot project will help the industry to understand the new health protocols before the country opens up to welcome foreign visitors and will build up visitor confidence in our hotels and the country,” he added.
THASL Vice President Asoka Hettigoda said there is a tremendous demand from foreigners to visit Ayurveda resorts in the country and that they have requested the Government to consider a travel bubble to allow foreigners wanting to come for treatment.
“Some of the foreign missions have requested to allow travel bubbles to stay in ayurvedic resorts, which actually requires at least14-days for treatment. It is a great time for Sri Lanka to promote our indigenous medicines, ayurvedic and hela wedakama concepts to the world.”
The Travel Agents Association of Sri Lanka (TAASL) President Channe Wijemanne said they have suggested the Tourism Ministry consider reducing the quarantine stay in the new guidelines to revive the outbound travel market.
“Before COVID, we had Rs.5 billion worth of business and it has now dropped to Rs.1 billion, while the number of tickets have dropped from 100,000 to just 20,000 tickets. To regain the momentum and recover the outbound travel market we have suggested the Tourism Ministry to curtail the quarantine period to seven-days and allow diplomats to self-isolate at home for seven-days. No approval was given for this so far,” he added.
Wijemanne said they are hopeful that the authorities will consider their request to recover the outbound travel market.
Colombo City Restaurant Collective President Harpo Gooneratne said the pilot project allowed people to see the new normal in tourism and it was important to be optimistic about the future.
“It is a global crisis and we have to be positive. We must always remember how resilient we Sri Lankans are and remain stronger together. We need to have faith that we will overcome this as well,” he added.
