SAARC success, eye opener for tourism
Shirajiv SIRIMANE
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SLTB Chairman Renton de Alwis
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The SAARC Summit held last week in Colombo has proved that Sri Lanka
is a safe destination and it is an eye opener for countries that have
clamped adverse travel advisories.
Chairman Sri Lanka Tourism, Renton de Alwis said the fact that Sri
Lanka hosted this summit attended by world leaders without a hiccup
proved that the country is capable of hosting even bigger events.
He said that due to the SAARC, Best Air of Bangladesh too launched
direct flights to Colombo. Increasing air links within the region too
was discussed.
“SAARC officials also discussed inter regional tourism which would
help to boost regional tourism,” he said.
Tourist Hotel Association of Sri Lanka (THASL) President Srilal
Mitthapala said city hoteliers though suffered losses due to
conciliation of scheduled functions they were happy for the greater
cause, the success of the SAARC.
It was estimated that city hoteliers lost over Rs. 150 million due to
the rescheduling of the SAARC Summit from Kandy to Colombo. “SAARC
delegates also stayed in these hotels which gave them some concession,”
he said.
Commenting on the travel advisories, he said the Government should
use the success of the SAARC to lobby against them. |
