Sri Lanka Tourism is optimistic about giving prominence to the entertainment sector’s foreign direct investments (FDIs) in the future in order to keep the city bustling with tourists which was delayed due to the economic crisis, the Daily Morning Business learnt.
Speaking to the Daily Morning Business, Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority (SLTDA) Chairman Priantha Fernando stated: “We are working on it (entertainment projects targeted for tourists). Thai delegates who arrived in the country recently were told that they are more than welcome to make investments in entertainment activities. There have been certain other investors who have looked at Sri Lanka, where the entertainment aspect is concerned. Unfortunately, it was the conditions that were prevailing within the country that has held back FDIs coming into the country. But, we are quite confident about it in the coming years.”
Moreover, the Thai conference concluded Saturday (8), where most of the agents have given assurance that they will be promoting Sri Lanka generously.
According to SLTDA, it is also a part of the hotels and the Destination Management Companies (DMCs) to encourage tourists to stay in Colombo City, while SLTDA is in charge of promoting the country as a whole and its sub-destinations. Colombo’s structure is significantly positioned above the leisure market, budget travellers which would intensify with time.
In addition, Sri Lanka Tourism concentrates on the Indian market. The Indian market has an outbound of around 25 million tourists, out of which 70% is within the region.The country has a potential to get the Indian market to come into Sri Lanka.
The package prices outside of India, are not on the lower side unlike in Sri Lanka Even while some claim that the minimum room rates will not be effective, it appears that most locations are promoting these hotels above and over the minimum room charge that has been set.
“There’s nothing much for them to grumble around and try and improve on the yield, their own yield as well as it will contribute towards the economic development of the country,” Fernando explained.
Sri Lanka as a country has been plagued by internal conflicts such as tsunami, Easter Sunday bombing attacks, COVID 19, and the current economic and political turmoil. Currently, the country is merely emerging, and tourism must help to escape the quagmire this country is in where the country must be confident enough to sell at a good price and willing to demand a fee.
Further, the minimum room rates for hotels are to come into effect on 1 August this year.
The Chairman of Jetwing Hotels group , Hiran Cooray speaking to us on the minimum room rates. He pointed out: “We must be confident in our ability to sell at a premium price, we must have confidence. Sri Lanka is due for it. Otherwise, we must completely leave this sector. How can someone who runs a hostel, guest house, or homestay by selling the rooms at $30 rate? If the five stars sell their property at the same rate. Each person will receive a payment based on the quality of their goods with the minimal hotel prices. We need to attract the wealthy Indians to visit and spend money.The minimum rate is merely a minimum rate; it is not a maximum rate, so that is the notion. In order to keep it open, they must be able to sell at that price. That won’t lead the entire nation to collapse.”
During a recent press conference, Minister of Tourism and Lands Harin Fernando said: “Even though there are numerous disputes regarding the minimum hotel charges, we do have a country that’s broke, but you can’t sustain by selling a five star room at $60 a night. You can’t. How would you expect to pay staff? How do you run a hotel?”
