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Friday, 12 June 2020 00:02 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}
The Hotels Association of Sri Lanka (THASL) in a statement yesterday thanked the Government and particularly Sri Lanka Tourism for granting a wage support scheme for employees of hotel businesses and concessions for the payment of utilities.
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THASL President Sanath Ukwatte |
THASL vehemently lobbied on behalf of the industry for this support and praise the Government for helping the hotel industry’s recovery during these turbulent times.
THASL stated that following the Government’s nod in favour of the wage support scheme and utility concessions, the tourism industry has a chance of rebuilding following the devastation of the lockdown and restrictions on travel.
“We thank the Government for evaluating our request and granting much needed support helping 2 million livelihoods to restore their lives. We hope the Government will continue to support us more in the future too,” THASL said.
It pointed out that successive Governments have paid great importance to the tourism industry and have recognised it as a major contributor to the economic wellbeing of our nation. Since the present Government came into office, the industry has got major impetus by being recognised as an export industry with similar incentives as other exporters. Export status to tourism has helped give Sri Lanka’s tourism industry the competitive edge needed over other regional tourism destinations.
THASL said the tourism industry is the second highest net foreign exchange earner to the country and earned $ 4.5 billion in 2018. Tourism earnings in Sri Lanka was on the path to be a $ 10 billion industry in 5 years. Although the current pandemic can set those goals back, the increasing number of inquiries the industry is receiving makes tourism businesses confident of a speedy recovery, earlier than expected.
THASL said it will continue to lobby for a comprehensive debt restructuring program of all existing debt and for the tourism industry to have continued access to low interest, long term financing to maintain plant and machinery until the industry rebounds.
