'Selling' the Paradise Isle dream
'Dream sellers' - this is how Lanka
Tourism and Tourist Board Chairman, Renton de Alwis, defines the tourism
developer. The phrase was used very extensively by him in an interview
he gave us, which we featured in our Top Vision column in the Business
pages yesterday, and we hope all concerned drank deep of de Alwis' vast
experience in the tourism field.
In sum, the Lanka Tourism chief's position is that the average
tourist who arrives in Sri Lanka does so with a joyful dream of this
country, which he eagerly looks forward to realising. One of the
principal aims of the local tourism industry is to help make this dream
come true. In other words, "selling dreams" is the industry's business.
Brought down to even more basic terms, the industry should satisfy the
tourists' every legitimate need.
These ideas deserve the earnest consideration of everyone concerned
with the future of the tourist industry in this country. If the industry
is to be completely rejuvenated and turned into an even more major
foreign exchange earner, we need to translate the tourist's dream of Sri
Lanka being a "Paradise Isle" into reality.
In other words, we should not only create a truly Lankan ethos for
the tourist but ensure that everything he sees, touches and savours is
genuinely Sri Lankan. This simple lesson in tourism development is most
often than not forgotten by sections of the local tourist industry.
It would not do to simply present sweetly smiling faces and golden
beaches and sands to the visitors to Sri Lanka, although these too are
important. The tourist needs to have an undiluted experience of
everything Sri Lankan when he or she is here because that is what they
are eagerly looking forward too.
For instance, they would be on the look out for Kiribath and Katta
Sambol instead of cold porridge. They would be seeking out the 'Thovil'
dancers instead of the brown exponents of Ball room dancing.
Besides, the dream we sell needs to be packaged well. From the moment
the tourist sets foot on Lankan soil, we need to ensure that his stay
here is hassle-free. For instance, tour guides need to be not only
familiar with some foreign languages, they should also be courteous and
know the land inside out. Besides, tourists should be spared the
harassment and exploitation engaged in by touts and beggars.
In the institutions of the State and in hotels, tourists should be
treated with utmost courtesy and their needs meticulously and caringly
met.
What all this means is that everyone in Sri Lanka needs to be a
stakeholder in tourism. We certainly need institutions to train the
relevant personnel in the finer points in the hospitality industry and
we should look at ways and means of recouping our fortunes in tourism in
the short and medium terms. For instance, the possibility should be
explored of tapping tourism markets closer to home in Asia.
However, it is also important that we think in the longer term. Every
citizen should take it on himself and herself to contribute their mite
towards rejuvenating the tourism industry. Even sensitive treatment of
tourists would suffice. |
Gender not an issue of competence
Motherhood is a double-edged political
instrument. Motherhood and ambition are still an awkward combination
on both sides of the Atlantic, as is clearly evident in the
reception of both Ms. Clinton and Ms. Royal in recent months.
 Full Story
Pulse of a Nation: President Mahinda Rajapaksa on National and
International Affairs
Editors Sugeeswara Senadhira and Harindranath
Chandrasiri have succeeded in bringing out the Pulse of Sri Lanka
through the speeches of President Rajapaksa delivered during his
colourful political career running in to more than a quarter
century.
Full Story
Why kill for food?
Vegetarianism, so far as historical written
records prevail, goes back into the obscurity of time, and some of
the world's most brilliant intellectual giants and reformers have
advocated a fleshless diet as a matter of principle.
Full Story
Trawling, industry threaten India turtle nesting
Not since 1995 has that happened. These days
just a handful of turtles come to the beach at Devi to nest, and its
status as one of three main nesting sites for the Olive Ridleys in
India's coastal state of Orissa is under threat.
Full Story
|
