SLAITO says disappointed with Tourism Chief

The Sri Lanka Association of Inbound Tour Operators and the One Industry One Voice in a statement yesterday expressed their disappointment over Sri Lanka Tourism Chairperson Kimarli Fernando.

“The tourism industry which is undergoing severe hardship due to the current situation in the country is disappointed with Chairperson Sri Lanka tourism who, to date, has not consulted the stakeholders who bring in the tourists on how the situation should be addressed or managed,” the statement alleged.

It said tourist arrivals are currently at an all-time high, especially from Europe, due to the upcoming Easter Holiday season. 

It is imperative that these tourists and the tour operator partners be assured of continuity of the industry to ensure that the holidays expected by the tourists, who are mainly families, will be delivered without any disruption and will operate smoothly.

“Although the Chairperson issues many voice cuts on social media that all tourism sites will be open to our disappointment Sigiriya was closed yesterday. We have been given assurances that diesel for our vehicles will be supplied, but to no avail,” the statement said.

“We have to use our own resources and ingenuity to find ways to make sure our vehicles keep running. Sri Lanka tourism has to take the lead and bring the stakeholders together, to come up with workable solutions. Otherwise, this most important industry which is supposed to generate much-needed foreign exchange for the country will surely collapse,” the statement warned.