Sri Lanka will attract top tourists - JohnsonDiversey Chief

Unilever / S.C. Johnson's industrial detergent arm, JohnsonDiversey have teamed up with Rotary Sri Lanka to lift the Sri Lanka's hotel industry by sponsoring the 'Top' Hotel School Graduate for a Global 'Hygiene and Sanitation work Shop' in Switzerland for the next 3 years.

The award was presented to the Secretary to the Ministry of Tourism - Dr. P. Ramajunam at the Annual General Meeting of the Hotel School Graduates Association recently.

The Country Head for Sri Lanka and Maldives of JohnsonDiversey Rohantha Athukorala said '"This award is from JohnsonDiversey Global together with the Rotary Club of Re-connection in Sri Lanka.

The reason being from our experience from countries in South America and Africa after a natural disaster, one way to attract the top end tourist that spends a USD 200 per day like neighbouring Maldives is by ensuring that the hygiene and sanitation conditions in the country are at its best. Most travel agents focus on this when doing their selections of the country/hotel.

This is our contribution for Sri Lanka" he said.

Especially with the new Tourism Act that has been passed, strong focus on marketing will once again drive tourism up. A key thing to remember is that the immune system of foreigners are different to a local. Hence proper hygiene standards must be maintained. A single outbreak of food poisoning can destroy the confidence level of the tour operators leading to affecting the country's brand imagery," Athukorala said.

The company has done commendable brand building work by partnering for HACCP certification, which has made them the market leader in industrial detergents in the country. 'This is the right model of brand building in a country. We are doing the same in other countries like the Maldives too," said Athukorala.

When asked how the current political situation might affect the future operation of the company he commented, "Hygiene and cleanliness has become so important in our part of the world it cuts across race, religion and leadership.

Athukorala, also the Director of the National Council for Economic Development (NCED) said that the Tourism Act that was passed recently gives Sri Lanka a golden opportunity to team up with the private sector and position Sri Lanka to be a destination which offers more than beaches - wild life, adventure, culture and smiling faces.

"Sri Lanka should now market the 45 tourism zones that has been identified aggressively so that the best hotel chains can be attracted to the country.

These chains will bring its one identified segment of people from the world which help boost our tourism further," he said. The hotel schools will also revamp its syllabi linking with the Salsburies and Luzannes of the world so that we build the skills of people required to serve the future demands of tourists. "Whilst also savvy marketing strategies are being implemented we must not forget the power of direct mail," Athukorala said.

HS