Problem of unregulated tourism

There was a social media uproar this week after a 26-year-old woman from Thailand was arrested for walking around topless in a popular tourist area in Arugam Bay. She was produced before the Potuvil magistrate court and handed down a five-year suspended prison sentence after pleading guilty to charges of indecent behaviour and causing a public disturbance.

A few weeks ago a similar incident took place in the area where a man was seen walking fully nude in the same area which led to some social media posts requesting tourists to stick to their bikinis at the beach and not when they go about town.

In the Southern Province which has been an area of attraction to Western tourists for decades, people seem more used to the trend but there too there are notices put up requesting that swimwear be confined to the beaches and not to other areas.

The old adage “When in Rome, do as the Romans do” is a saying that means people visiting foreign lands should adapt to the customs and behaviour of the place they are visiting. This is true not only of Sri Lanka but of any other place in the world. When Sri Lankans visit a foreign land they too adapt to local customs. For example, there are thousands of Sri Lankans working in more conservative countries such as Saudi Arabia and while there they respect the local customs and adapt to lifestyle there. If one is traveling in a Western country where people are more liberal with their dress style, then they adapt themselves accordingly.

Places of religious worship worldwide demand decorum from visitors, irrespective of their faith. This is the case in Sri Lanka, in India, or the Vatican. Similarly it’s important for visitors to respect local customs in every part of the world they are in.

Unfortunately in Sri Lanka we are seeing more and more cases where tourists have become a law unto themselves and do as they please without any consideration for local sentiments. Sri Lanka remains a conservative society by and large and hence it’s important that visitors to the country are kept abreast about the local perspectives on dress codes and public conduct in general.

Sri Lanka, given its never ending economic woes, has always chosen quantity over quality when it comes to tourism and hence there is a largely unregulated industry. It’s true that tourists provide a lifeline for many thousands in the country and it is essential that we continue to encourage foreigners to visit, but it’s important that they are kept abreast on what they can do or cannot do in the country without breaking the law.

Already there are many instances of foreigners operating unauthorised businesses in many areas in the country at the cost of locals. There have been numerous instances where foreign nationals provide services to fellow nationals of their countries visiting as tourists and payments are made using their electronic transactional methods denying economic benefits to Sri Lanka. They have found ways to circumvent the laws in Sri Lanka and, obviously with a little help from local authorities, they have become a law unto themselves. Most arrive in the country on tourist visas but end up doing business while the authorities turn a blind eye.

It’s a difficult situation for the authorities too given that tourists bring in much needed revenue for the country while the sector provides employment to thousands of people. Hence not wanting to rock the boat is understandable but there has to be a better effort made to educate tourists about local laws and customs so that they can have an enjoyable visit to Sri Lanka and don’t behave in a manner that is frowned upon by locals.