Dangerous rail travel by tourists – Is there an opportunity?

Of late, there has been much debate and concern voiced about tourists standing at the doorways of trains and even hanging out, while the train is moving. Some pictures of a young couple hanging out of a train, while clutching on to the side rails, went viral on social media with debates of the ‘pros’ and ‘cons’ reaching fever pitch. 

While certainly this is a dangerous practice, not to be condoned, if we ‘think out of the box’, could there be a way to make this seemingly popular, though dangerous pastime among some tourists, into an opportunity to be exploited? This article aims to explore these options pragmatically.

Social media and even some of the more conventional media were all a buzz last month when some pictures of a young tourist couple appeared hanging out of the Sri Lankan upcountry train in gay abandon, savouring the exciting moment. 

There were hot debates about this form of ‘promotion of Sri Lanka’, with many people talking  about the dangers of such a practice and that it would bring negative publicity for Sri Lanka, if something dangerous were to  happen.

And quite rightly so I guess. I myself was one who joined the chorus, who vehemently spoke against this.

However, when I was talking to a friend recently in Melbourne, who is not connected with the tourism industry, he brought out a totally new side to this story, which got me thinking. Can we create an opportunity here?

‘New’ experience 
There is no doubt that there is a new segment of discerning, younger, experience and adventure-seeking tourists emerging and travelling all over the world. They are very Internet and social media-savvy, seeking more adventurous and exciting experiences and are usually very environmentally conscious. They are most often seen exploring ‘off-the-beaten-track’ holidays, planned out individually according to their needs and wants.

This is very evident from the recent Sri Lanka Development Authority statistics, where it is seen that the total arrivals by charter flights has dropped to less than one percent, from the heady days in the 2000s, when this segment was closer to 65 percent (predominantly charter flights cater to organised ‘package tours’), which means more and more visitors to Sri Lanka are now choosing to ‘do it their own way’!

Through the ages, mankind has been pushing the limits of exploration: we have conquered the land, sea and space. We have discovered many hitherto unknown wonders of our planet with our unabated thirst for knowledge.

Tourists are no different. To get away from their daily stressful daily life, they seek something different, even venturing into hostile or dangerous places to experience the excitement of discovery and the feeling of adventure.

No longer is a clean hotel room with a range of facilities, good food and some sunshine good enough to a tourist. 

According to booking.com, the yearning for experiences over material possessions continues to drive travellers’ desire for more incredible and memorable trips: 45 percent of travellers have a bucket list in mind. Most likely to appear on a bucket list are thrill seekers wanting to visit a world-famous theme park, travellers looking to go on an epic rail journey or visiting a remote or challenging location. 

Drive-reduction theory in psychology postulates that one is never in a state of complete fulfilment and thus, there are always drives that need to be satisfied. Humans and other animals voluntarily increase tension by exploring their unknown environments, self-inducing stress and moving out of their comfort zones. This gives them a sense of achievement and self-satisfaction. 

In response to this trend, more and more destinations are increasingly marketing themselves to tourists by offering unique, diverse, rare and thrilling experiences.
It is perhaps taking some note of this that the very well complied Sri Lanka Tourism Vision 2025  document has, as its vision statement, “To be the world’s finest island for diverse, authentic and memorable experiences”.

Therefore, unknown thrills, adventures and the ‘adrenaline rush’ do attract travellers.

What have other countries done?
As mentioned, many countries are developing unique, memorable and thrilling experiences into their product offering. A few are described below.

Walk along Sydney Harbour Bridge
Small groups are taken on a walk along the massive, arched steel structured Sydney Harbour Bridge. The dramatic 360-degree view from the bridge, 135 meters above the ground of the harbour and the nearby Sydney Opera House, while being completely exposed to the elements, is indeed a rare and 
thrilling experience. 

Coiling Dragon Cliff skywalk, Zhangjiajie, China
In the northwest of China’s Hunan Province, visitors can take a leisurely stroll along the walkway attached to Tianmen Mountain — 4,700 feet above the ground.
The glass-bottomed walkway is more than 300 feet long and only about five feet wide, providing an experience that is said to be exhilarating and frightening.

CN Tower Edge Walk, Canada
The tallest attraction in Toronto lets people stand right at the edge of the CN Tower and lean over. It is the world’s highest full circle and hands-free walk on a 1.5-metre wide ledge encircling the top of the tower’s main pod, 356 metres, 116 storeys above the ground. Edge Walk is a Canadian Signature Experience and an Ontario Signature Experience.

Gorilla safaris in Rwanda
A variety of unique trekking opportunities in Rwanda and Uganda allow you trek into the jungle to gaze into the eyes of the gorillas in their natural habitat. It’s a completely unique African safari experience. This moment leaves a lasting and unforgettable impression coming so close to this majestic wild animal.
These are just a few. So there are already a range of unique, visitor attractions that thrill tourists the world over.

Safety – one overriding condition 
All these thrill-seeking and seemingly dangerous tourist attractions have one common denominator that is never ever compromised – safety.
Safety is of paramount importance in all these activities and is subject to stringent checks and review periodically. All personnel who guide and instruct these thrill-seeking tourists are well-trained and disciplined.  

Any equipment that is used for safety such as harnesses and safety belts are designed to the highest standards and are periodically tested.  Nothing is left to chance and if there is the slightest semblance of danger due to any unforeseen environmental conditions, the attraction is closed down temporarily (e.g. when there are strong winds the Sydney Harbour Bridge walk is suspended).

Such safety measures are an imperative necessity because any unforeseen accident can lead to serious and grave consequences of litigation and even closing down of the attraction. 

What about train ride?
The attraction of the Sri Lankan upcountry train ride (most often between Nanu Oya and Ella – the most scenic section) is the fact that a tourist can stand ‘on the footboard’ of the open train carriageway door and feel the cool breeze against their faces while absorbing the beautiful hill country and tea plantations. This is something most western tourists cannot do back home, where all train carriageway doors are automatically shut when the train starts moving. 

In fact, I am told that some tour agents in Australia are specifically asked by tourists to arrange this ‘experience’ for them, when booking their tour. 

Why not be creative? 
Cannot we modify one carriage to have an open ‘balcony’ along the side where a person can stand ‘outside’ and ‘feel the open environment’? It could be fitted with proper safety rails and each person can be anchored to the carriage with a harness (like what is used in other attractions where the interaction is open to the elements).

One factor that favours the safety aspect is that during traversing this stretch, due to the steep gradient, the train travels at a ‘snail’s pace’, unlike in foreign countries, where speeds could reach 80-100 kilometres per hour. 

This attraction could be used as an income generator for the Railway Department as tourists wanting to experience this ‘thrill’ can be charged a fee, for a specific time period that they could use the facility. 

Conclusion
Although this may seem simplistic, in reality there may be several logistical issues that need to be addressed. 

But if there is a will and the different departments involved can all see the opportunity and get on to the same ‘wavelength’, cutting through the inordinate bureaucracy that usually prevails, then surely it would not be at all difficult. 

But the overall point in this entire treatise is that we have to ‘think out of the box’ and grasp at all possible opportunities that are available. We are quite used to ranting and raving about all the shortfalls that prevail, on Facebook and what not. But there’s so much that still can be done if there are a few motivated and dedicated people who can get together. 

Tourism after all is really ‘show businesses’ and without creativity, panache, actors and showmanship, what is show business? 
(Srilal Miththapala is a Past President of The Hotels Association of Sri Lanka)