Tourism industry on edge as travel advisories mount

Sri Lanka’s tourism industry is bracing for challenges, following a series of travel advisories issued by several key markets, including the United States, United Kingdom, Australia, Russia and New Zealand. 

These advisories, prompted by the potential terrorist threats, have sparked fears that the sector, still recovering from the past disruptions, could face a significant setback just as the peak tourist season approaches.

“Any negative publicity will affect tourism more than any other industry. We don’t yet know the full impact but our main concern is how this will influence the future bookings,” Sri Lanka Association of Inbound Tour Operators (SLITO) President Nalin Jayasundera told Mirror Business.

He added that while the cancellations have not yet been reported, uncertainty looms large. 

“We’ve requested the Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority (SLTDA) to issue a statement to provide clarity.”

The concerns come at a critical time for the sector, which had been banking on the winter season to offset the earlier blows, such as the visa fiasco that made visiting Sri Lanka more costly and inconvenient, compared to the regional competitors.

Reflecting similar sentiments, The Hotels Association of Sri Lanka (THASL) President M. Shanthikumar highlighted the potential damage the advisories could inflict on the industry. 

“It’s bad for the country and it’s very hard to convince the embassies to relax these, especially when they claim their advisories are based on reliable information. Generally, when the US and UK issue such warnings, the other European nations tend to follow,” he said.

Shanthikumar shared that there is “no panic” in the areas concerned and the informal hotels are still fully functioning. 

Although a tourist hotspot, Arugam Bay is dominated by the informal sector, largely run by tourists, mostly Israelis.

“These informal hotels are still operating. But there’s no control over the situation and the industry’s calls to regularise visas have gone unheeded,” he added.

Meanwhile, the Sri Lanka Tourism Promotion Bureau (SLTPB) issued a statement to reassure the visitors, where it said Sri Lanka “warmly invites travellers from around the world to visit during the upcoming tourist season”. 

“We ensure that the tourists can enjoy a safe and secure experience while exploring the beauty of our island, with the highest levels of safety and security maintained throughout their stay.”

It stressed that the Defence Ministry has taken all necessary measures to ensure the safety of the tourists, providing peace of mind to both those currently in Sri Lanka and those planning future visits.