Hoteliers earnestly seek a lifeline - EDITORIAL

Sri Lanka as a nation can celebrate many things. One is that it is an island and that has its merits. The islanders have fish in plenty, water to drink and solid earth for cultivation. 
Then in terms of having links with the outside world we had our tea, coffee and spice businesses where the crop was exported abroad. 

We were seen as a tourist destination and hotels and restaurants mushroomed largely along the coastal belt because the seas here are calm and the foreigners love the sun and the dark tan it gives to their bodies. 
This nation was not progressing much under the previous Government because that regime lacked a plan to promote anything with aggression. 
One industry that received a massive blow during the past regime was the tourism industry due to the Easter bombings. 

Sri Lanka was termed a dangerous country to visit because the series of attacks were labelled as “terrorist activity”. 
After a regime change, tourism still suffers because of the current pandemic. But one thing is clear about the authorities; they want to open the country for foreign tourists.
This move is welcomed by those involved in the hotel trade. 
The initial move was to bring down 500 foreigners under strict health guidelines. We did bring them down and there were few who were carrying the virus, but that’s beside the point. 

When one studies the guidelines set for foreigners the guidelines are pretty solid and one can see that safety and precaution have been given a serious thought. 
For the record all foreign tourists have to subject themselves to mandatory PCR tests at the airport on arrival, another test after 5-7 days while at the hotel and a third test after 12-14 days after arrival. These tourists will not be allowed to mingle with locals and will be out up at hotels certified by the authorities. 

These tourists will initially visit Sri Lanka under a pilot project initiated by the Government of Sri Lanka and themed ‘Bringing tourists under controlled conditions’. 
As many as 12 destinations have been selected for the tourists to visit and some of them are Yala, Sigirya, the Temple of the Tooth, Pinnawala, Uda Walawe, Kaudulla and Minneriya. 
But there are concerns that only a handful of those involved in the tourism business would benefit from these foreign tourists because the hotels have been earmarked may be owned by those who are well-connected to those who wield power. 

If the tourism industry is to be given a lifeline to raise its head more hoteliers must be given opportunities to entertain guests. 
There must be an even playing field to do business. It is of concern to know that some certified hotels were not aware of the new guidelines set to accommodate foreign guests when others were already informed of all such arrangements. 

Lack of coordination among participatory bodies is the worst things that can happen at this juncture. 
The Sri Lanka Association for Inbound Tour Operators has already aired its disappointment regarding some of these arrangements made by the State tourism authorities. 
It is also well-known that private tour operators must come into the picture and make their contributions. Most tourists are as educated as our tour guides and know what they seek here in the island; hence restricting their movement and making them squeeze into a preplanned uninteresting tour would be detrimental for the tourism industry. 

As with most sectors, it is the private sector that keeps most industries alive and the regime must keep that in mind. 
It is good to know that efforts are being taken to open the country for tourism. After this pilot project concludes there would be reviews and constructive criticism levelled against the authorities. 
Let us hope the government authorities are fair to all when they open up the country and promote tourism comes the second such project.