Tourism industry assures tourists their holidays will be delivered as promised

• THASL and SLAITO write to foreign missions assuring tourists will face no difficulties due to power cuts and fuel shortages
• Say hotels are well stocked with food and other supplies to ensure visitors will not be inconvenienced

While Sri Lanka grapples with its worst economic crisis sine independence, tourism industry stakeholders have assured international visitors that they will face no hardships during their holidays in the island nation. 

Sri Lanka Association of Inbound Tour Operators (SLAITO) and The Hotels Association of Sri Lanka (THASL) assured all visitors to Sri Lanka, travelling through entities registered with the Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority (SLTDA) that their holidays would be delivered without disruption.“Hotels are well stocked with food and other supplies to ensure that all visitors will not be inconvenienced. We are confident that all visitors can be looked after without any interruption to their itineraries,” the associations said in a joint letter to foreign missions in the country. 

Together with Sri Lanka Tourism, the two associations said that measures have been taken to ensure a continuous supply of fuel for tourist vehicles and hotel generators. The measures were put in place with effect from March 4.
There is ample proof to justify these claims, with the 300 plus French guests currently in the Sigiriya area participating at the Raid Amazones programme and a further 300 plus expected in the coming weeks, the associations said.

“We are confident that we can cater to the needs of all tourists visiting Sri Lanka during this time,” the letter noted.
The private sector stakeholders who are the major contributors to the Tourism Development Levy (TDL) acknowledged that they are aware of the various negative news circulating on social media and also the travel advisories that have been put in place.

They noted that the situation has been created mainly by a delay in receiving fuel shipments and some disruption to fuel distribution as a result, which has been further impacted by panic buying.

“We feel it is our responsibility to appraise those concerned of the actual ground situation, hence this communiqué. 

We look forward to providing all visitors with a safe and memorable experience on their visits to Sri Lanka,” the letter noted.