City hoteliers ready for IIFA visitors

To provide 400 rooms free:

Charumini de Silva

The Hoteliers’ Association said Colombo city hotels will reserve 400 rooms for four nights free to guests coming for the International Indian Film Academy (IIFA).

Hoteliers’ Association of Sri Lanka (HASL) President, Srilal Miththapala told Daily News Business that the Association will give its fullest support with their expertise and logistics to make IIFA a success.

By providing hotel rooms the entire hotel trade will benefit since the tourism industry is now on the up.

“Tourism was one of the industries that has recovered soon after the global economic downturn and with the restoration of peace,” he said.

The Ceylon Chamber of Commerce (CCC) is also playing a leading role in getting large enterprises to sponsor the event in various activities such as decorating roads and roundabouts.

The support of the business community is important for this international event as it will benefit the country in the future.

The response of the business community was commendable in finding sponsorships for IIFA, Miththapala said. Daily News Business interviewed several Colombo city hoteliers for their views. Majority of them said they have got many inquiries for hotel room bookings and are expecting more inquiries and confirmations during this week.

They also said that contributing 400 free hotel rooms will benefit the entire tourism industry as well as hoteliers. Most of the activities that are being planned in the hotels have selected their events in line with the IIFA main theme.

The Colombo city hoteliers are expecting a large number of tourists apart from the IIFA actors and the organizers.

They also expect more travellers from India even after this mega event. The Colombo city hoteliers are all set to provide a star class service to make IIFA a sensation in the tourism industry.