Considering the prevailing situation in the hospitality sector, it is highly recommended, that the industry retain their employees and survive the coming months, managing the situation effectively.
This was said by Chairman Institute of Hospitality Sri Lanka International Branch (IHSLIB) Thusith Samaraweera who was appointed for the third consecutive year at their 27th AGM at Ramada Colombo.
“We must use this slack period as the perfect opportunity to provide further training to the staff in order to improve their skills, knowledge and confidence. The importance of having committed and well trained staff can never be over emphasized.”
The Institute of Hospitality has decided to conduct several employee training programs mainly on topics such as staff motivation, leadership, crisis management, maintenance, innovation and creativity. “We hope this initiative would help the industry to retain the most valuable asset of our industry our employees”. He said that Sri Lanka boosted by the global travel guide book, “The Lonely Planet” naming Sri Lanka as the top tourist destination in the world for 2018, 2019 was heading for a record 4 million plus arrival target by end of 2019.”
“It was sad to note that these plans were bombed away during the Easter Sunday Blasts which was totally beyond our control. Following the very sad and unexpected incidents that took place on Easter Sunday, the arrival of tourists to Sri Lanka is at its lowest and the hotel sector is currently facing a serious crisis. As a result, the projection made by the Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority to except 4 million plus tourists this year will be only a vision”.
“The outcome appears to be rather mixed. The hotel industry reported that bookings were down for January-February 2019 compared to the same period last year”.
It was also estimated that the hotel rates have come down by over 40%.
“Sri Lanka has gone through similar situations, in the past and we hope visitors will regain confidence in the coming months and visit Sri Lanka as planned, where a warm welcome awaits them”. (SS)
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