Net cast at Sri Lankans coming home to lift tourist numbers
By Nadia Fazlulhaq
Tamil Hindu devotees take part in the Ther Festival (Chariot Festival) at the Nallur Kandaswamy Kovil (Nallur Temple) in Jaffna, Sri Lanka, on August 21, 2017. Hundreds of thousands of Tamil Hindu devotees from across the globe attended this festival. (Photo by Creative Touch Imaging Ltd./NurPhoto via Getty Images)[/caption]
Indian visitors and the Sri Lankan diaspora will be the target segments next month to help revive tourism.
Sri Lanka Tourism Promotion Bureau Chairman Chalaka Gajabahu said the Nallur Kovil festival and Esala Perahera are two main events in August that would attract Indian tourists and the Sri Lankan diaspora.
“Of the 1.5 million visitors for the Nallur festival, we are currently targeting about 50,000 to 100,000 from the diaspora. There is more than 35,000 tentative bookings for the Dalada Perahera. Many Sri Lankans overseas find holidaying here less costlier than in Europe and other countries,” he said.
Tourist arrivals were low in May (30,207) and June (32,856) compared with previous months this year. March recorded 106,500 and April had 62,980 arrivals. In post-COVID-19 years, July and August drew a high number of tourists with over 200,000 a month.
June tourist arrivals consisted mainly of visitors from India (28%), the United Kingdom (14%), Australia (10%), Germany, and Canada. The majority were visiting friends and relatives (41%). Those who arrived for a vacation or pleasure were 38%.
Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority Director General Dhammika Wijayasinghe said a number of promotions are being planned in Delhi, Mumbai and Bangalore.
“Indian tourist numbers dipped due to extensive media coverage on the country’s economic crisis, fuel shortage, and unrest. We are targeting the Indian market now via roadshows as well as promoting Sri Lanka as a MICE (meetings, incentives, conventions and exhibitions) destination. Visiting friends and relatives is a significant market segment for SL tourism,” she said.
According to Ms. Wijayasinghe, the National Fuel Pass, once it comes into effect, should help the tourism industry.
“It’s important to get the transport facilities strengthened. These winter months are crucial as we target European tourists. Though earlier this month fuel distribution for tourist transport services experienced some challenges, the situation is under control,” she said.
However, she said any violence, unrest, and arson should be prevented as they could hamper arrivals in the coming months. Group tourists will drop due to insurance concerns, she warned.
The Ella Tourist Hotels Association president, Mr Shalinda Kuruppuarachchi said arrivals are slowly picking up. However, smaller guesthouses, home stays, and hostels are struggling without fuel for generators and for vehicles.
“Many homestays and hostels are awaiting Central Environmental Authority and National Building Research Organization clearance to get the SLTDA licence. They are also yet to get their beer licence. These should not be delayed if we are to attract European and East European tourists from December to March,” he said.