The Weekend Getaway

The first long weekend for 2022 was a bonus, four days in a row and was well received by all who had revelled during Christmas and New Year’s Eve. Having a good rest was how the majority were ready to enjoy this long weekend. I was invited to an outing down south.  I was amazed at the number of cars heading to the south on the highway. It seemed that all the hotels, villas etc. were booked to capacity.  It was obvious that both the locals  and the loads of foreigners entering the country were keeping the hotel and tourist industry alive.

Driving around the coastal line I was happy to see all the restaurants and cafes that were almost abandoned or had actually closed down were once again bustling with clients.  Prior reservations were required at many owing to the demand and many gigs had been planned in the more popular areas of Mirissa and Weligama where the younger folks love to spend time.  From all accounts, it had been a rollicking weekend for all. It was great to learn that not only the south but the east as well as the hill country had been packed to capacity.

 It was obvious that both the locals  and the loads of foreigners entering the country were keeping the hotel and tourist industry alive.

We do hear the Public Health Inspectors’ warnings to be more careful and take precautions regarding travelling. It all seems to be ignored, however, as the general public seem to have had enough of being stuck in their homes owing to the pandemic.

Internationally, the new variant seems to be spreading like wildfire.  Some countries have decided to treat the latest variant as a flu and are not enforcing strict health measures whilst others cannot cope with their hospitals being full and are taking stricter measures, it seems.

Let us hope that we can recover somewhat in the financial sphere with the tourist arrivals in 2022 and we have no significant issues with the virus and be able to enjoy a safe and better year than the previous two we have had to go through.