Tourist bookings expected to surge from March
Hoteliers are expecting bookings to surge from March onwards since most markets are either closed or in lockdown as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Despite the restrictions, hoteliers commend the re-opening of the borders to tourists thereby reviving the tourism industry which is believed to help sustain the livelihoods of their workers, Tourist Hotels Association of Sri Lanka President Sanath Ukwatte said.
“We are trying to survive,” he said adding that “workers will come back to work when there is work,” noting that they were awaiting bookings from March onwards.
With key markets like China remaining closed at this time of the year and the UK going in for a complete lockdown and Europe closed it was a new reality that the industry has to cope with.
January is the peak season for tourist arrivals, but the country still awaits arrivals and though March onwards is likely to see a surge, tourists traditionally are slow in going on leisure trips during their summer months.
“We really don’t know the behaviour of the consumer,” Mr. Ukwatte explained noting that they never expected Europe to close down and in this respect they continue to monitor the situation daily.
“We are getting a lot of inquiries for March onwards,” he said adding that they were following a zero cancellation policy that meant tourists can cancel their travel to Sri Lanka at any time.
“We want to maintain the livelihoods of our people,” he said asserting that this is their “biggest challenge.”
Mr. Ukwatte also explained that hoteliers needed to refurbish their hotels and these are key concerns as they open up to serving tourists that is expected to reach a total of around 500,000 this year.
However, the hotels are still awaiting the wage support loan and require state assistance in restructuring their loans for the payment of wages.
With moratoriums on their loans ending in September they have requested the government to restructure the debt and a part of their moratoriums as well.
Tourists have given mixed reactions to the restrictions imposed in Sri Lanka with some unhappy about it but others considering them as being looked after in the new normal, he said commenting on the inquiries received by them and the feedback from tourists.
The aim is to attract the Sri Lankan expatriate market, the long stayers and those in search of wellness and care, he said.