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US $ 220m revenue from tourism industry last year by Shirajiv Sirimane 

Sri Lanka has earned a revenue of US $ 220 million from tourism last year and with the peace initiative, the nation is expected to earn more at the end of this year.

In 2000 Sri Lanka had a revenue of US $ 252 million while in 2001 this amount declined to US $ 213 million. According to the Director Operations, Galle Face Hotel, Anura Lokuhetty the unhealthy political and economic condition in the country, lack of direct flights were the main reasons for this decline. "Today SriLankan Airlines is the number one airline bringing in 55% tourists but last year it had reduced the number of flights, as they had cancelled destinations in Germany after the Airport attack."

Some of the foreigners enjoying the much sought after long beaches of Sri Lanka.

A veteran in the industry with 24 years experience said that arrivals are picking up with 40,898 arrivals last month. "This is a sharp increase as against 39,081 arrivals in February and 40,647 arrivals in January this year." He said that most of the tourists had arrived from Germany which proves that additional flights by the national carrier too contributed to the high number of arrivals from Germany.

He said that 88.5% of tourists had visited Sri Lanka for holiday and pleasure."

One of the key members behind the creation of the first five-star hotel in Beruwela, 'The Eden' (Owned and operated by Confifi Hotels.) said that the industry has created direct job opportunities for over 35,000 and indirect jobs for around 49,000 people.

He said that the Sri Lanka's Hotel accommodation sector too has increased. "Last year Sri Lanka had 211 hotels operating 13,460 rooms and last month there were 217 hotels with 13,551 rooms."

Lokuhetty who is also a Director of the Confifi Group having served in the institution for over 20 years said that the occupancy rate of tourist hotels which were 39.3% last year had increased by 18.7% to 58.0% last month. "This is a much welcomed trend."

Regionally the highest occupancy rate was recorded in the Colombo City (63.4%) followed by Greater Colombo (59.2%) and South Coast (57%)." He said that if Sri Lanka could attract 500,000 tourists annually who would stay an average of ten days Sri Lanka could achieve almost 100% occupancy rate." Lokuhetty was however very critical on the facilities that are being offered at the Colombo Airport. "Most of the tourists arrive in Sri Lanka after a 12 hour tiring flight and they have to first carry their hand luggage and board a bus to come to the main area.

Next they have to wait in a long queue to stamp their visa. The other problem they face is at the baggage belt and finally when the luggage is collected they get a very old trolley to carry their baggage." He said that the other main problem faced by tourists is the delay in arriving to the city due to heavy traffic jams. "The best solution for this is not the highway. But their is a cheaper way out of this. The best solution is to introduce regular special trains to the city." He said that he feels that 70% of the Sri Lanka's railways are under utilised and steps must be taken to improve this sector specially at night.

He also suggested a speed boat service similar to the Maldives to ferry passengers from the Airport to places of tourist interest.

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