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Considerable increase in tourist arrivals

by Kahawa special correspondent

A considerable increase in tourist arrivals is recorded in Hikkaduwa and around, and also in areas such as Galle, Mawatuna, Ahangama and Koggala. This development of the industry is mainly due to the ongoing peace process by the new UNF regime, according to hoteliers and foreign tourists.

Some hotelliers said that this progress is remarkable when compared with the progress in past years. In short there was no progress at all then," they said.

Sixty per cent of rooms in our hotels are now occupied by foreign tourists", they said. Most of those seasonal shops which were kept closed for a few years, have been re-opened with all attractive selling items in Hikkaduwa and in other areas.

Therefore the main highway and interior by-roads are full of tourists, it was observed.

Youths who lost cycle-hiring income have prospered once again after many years, it was observed. In the same way the postal section is also having an additional income, as these places are frequented with tourists taking IDD calls, buying stamps and posting their letters to their foreign destinations". Hikkaduwa Pradeshiya Sabha will fix street lights from Ambalangoda to Gintota specially on the Galle Road as a protection for tourists spending night life in Hikkaduwa.

Meanwhile the Hikkaduwa police are taking steps to activate a 24-hour day and night patrol service within Wellawatte Bridge to Dodanduwa for the protection of tourists.

Another step taken by the Hikkaduwa Police is to arrest unlicensed tourist guides in order to avoid touting, is also praiseworthy.

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