The World Tourism Organization (WTO) has shown its commitment to support to rebuild the tourism industry in Sri Lanka.
WTO’s Secretary General, Zurab Pololikashvili told CNN in an interview, “Sri Lanka has been a tourism success story producing huge benefits beyond tourism! Tourism means unity and understanding. We best express our support by keep traveling to Sri Lanka.”
Commenting on this, Chairman, Sri Lanka Tourism Development Board (SLTDA), Kishu Gomes said that senior people of the industry both local and foreign are willing to assist. “Encouragement has been given to rebuild the image of Sri Lanka among other countries,” he said. It is the Peace and unity that is essential to fight against global terrorism and eradicate it.
Due to the recent bomb explosions within the country a number of cancellations both direct and through travel agents have been reported. Airlines are not having their usual crowd. However he said that there are tourists who continue to visit the country been confident that the situation is under control.
The three forces along with the Sri Lanka Police have tightened the security of the country and had taken care of the damages caused. Security briefings have been conducted for hotel managers and owners to make them aware of these situations and how to respond to them in case of emergency. “The military intelligence unit and bomb squad of the Sri Lanka Army had assisted in this program and more programs will be conducted in the future,” he added. He said that the number of foreign patients receiving medication has further reduced by yesterday morning. Their conditions are stable because of the delicate caring received from national and private hospitals. The SLTDA will assist the families of both injured and deceased tourists with accommodation and airline ticket bookings to take them back to their countries.
He also said that the SLTDA is coordinating with the global PR agencies to support them to rebuild the image of the country within the globe so that the industry will not face a serious downfall. People have been deployed to coordinate with the affected hotels and take care of the victims. SLTDA requests tourist who are having any issues in this country with regard to the recent disaster to contact 1912 hotline for immediate assistance.
The Easter Sunday attack hit three luxury hotels in Colombo where many nationals were injured and over 40 of them have lost their lives. This attack would negatively affect the industry which expects three million tourists this year. Thus immediate assistance should be taken to manage the situation.
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