SL rushes to assure tourists

• Tourism authority to brief foreign envoys tomorrow 
• Joint social media campaign in the offing to reinforce message that tourism industry is ‘back to normal’ after devastating Ditwah
• SLTDA Chairman Buddhika Hewawasam assures tourist movements not deviating from expected seasonal trends
• THASL President Asoka Hettigoda assures tourist zones, hotels functioning at full service levels
• SLAITO President Nalin Jayasundera notes global tour operators remain confident in promoting Sri Lanka as top destination

By Charumini de Silva 

In a rare show of unified industry action, top tourism bodies—The Hotels Association of Sri Lanka (THASL) and the Sri Lanka Association of Inbound Tour Operators (SLAITO) have joined hands with Sri Lanka Tourism to urgently reassure international travellers that the island’s tourism industry is ‘back to normal’ following the devastation caused by Cyclone Ditwah.

The two leading industry bodies have requested the Sri Lanka Tourism for a joint social media and a PR campaign aimed at countering any negative perceptions and confirming that hotels, travel routes, excursions and key tourist attractions are functioning across most regions, as authorities meet all foreign missions tomorrow (5) to brief them on the industry’s swift recovery after the devastating natural disaster.

In a joint media briefing yesterday, Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority (SLTDA) Chairman Buddhika Hewawasam, THASL President Asoka Hettigoda, and SLAITO President Nalin Jayasundera stressed that Sri Lanka’s tourism sector has long demonstrated its resilience and ability to “bounce back fast,” with Cyclone Ditwah proving no exception. 

They said the outlook for the season remains strong, supported by coordinated industry action, strong diplomatic engagement and reaffirmed confidence from global travel partners.

“The Tourism Ministry is coordinating a full diplomatic outreach, led by our Minister Vijitha Herath, who also serves as Foreign Affairs Minister. A second round of consultations with envoys will take place on Friday, bringing together Ambassadors and High Commissioners based in Colombo and connecting Sri Lankan missions overseas,” Hewawasam said. 

He said the briefings aim to provide foreign Governments with an accurate real-time picture of the state of tourism infrastructure, hotel operations, and visitor safety following the cyclone. 

Hewawasam noted that missions had already commended the authorities for the rapid recovery efforts and the successful handling of affected tourists during the peak of the disaster.

Responding to queries, the SLTDA Chairman asserted that arrivals data up to 30 November 2025 showed normal patterns and that daily arrivals remain steady despite the weather-related disruptions. 

“There have been no major cancellations, with only an estimated 1-5% drop from last-minute regional bookings, mainly from India. Winter season bookings continue as planned with major international operators,” he said, adding that TUI brought one of its largest cruise vessels carrying over 2,000 passengers on Tuesday, while charter flights and scheduled flight operations have proceeded without interruption. 

Hewawasam assured that tourist movements recorded by immigration do not indicate any significant deviation from expected seasonal trends.

THASL President Hettigoda said hotels across Negombo, Pasikudah, the Cultural Triangle, and Jaffna are operating normally, maintaining 65-70% occupancy. 

He noted that access to Kandy and Nuwara Eliya is expected to improve further in the coming days, with single-lane vehicular passage already restored. 

Hettigoda stressed that visitors continue to enjoy wildlife parks, historical sites, whale-watching excursions and other activities without disruption. 

“There are no shortages of food, electricity, or water in tourist zones and hotels are functioning at full service levels,” he assured. 

To reinforce the message worldwide, he said THASL, the SLAITO, and Sri Lanka Tourism Promotion Bureau (SLTPB) will roll out a coordinated social media outreach campaign to highlight that 90% of the country’s tourism offerings are fully operational and to project “the calmness after the storm.”

SLAITO President Jayasundera echoed the positive outlook, noting that global tour operators remain confident in promoting Sri Lanka as a top destination in their source markets.

He said in a powerful symbol of resilience and recovery, Sri Lanka on Tuesday welcomed the luxury cruise ship Mein Schiff 06, operated by TUI Cruises, carrying over 2,000 international passengers to the Colombo Port, adding that visitors already in the country are continuing their itineraries without difficulty.

“The southern region, particularly the Deep South, remained largely unaffected, and cruise passengers who docked in Colombo and Hambantota this week have enjoyed excursions to Yala, Udawalawe, and other sites with highly favourable feedback,” he said. 

Jayasundera stressed future booking cancellations remain minimal and insignificant compared with confirmed reservations for the winter season.