Prompt contingency actions taken by my Ministry and its institutions to effectively face the aftermath…
Prompt contingency actions taken by my Ministry and its institutions to effectively face the aftermath of the “Tsunami Tidal Waves” have brought in desired results. The relief management unit, set up with a round the cloak operation to handle various emergency services, ensured smooth operation to the entire satisfaction of the displaced tourists. All such tourists, around 4000 of them, were provided with every facility until their decision to leave the Reception centre at their discretion either to return to their own country or spend the holiday in a different tourist location in Sri Lanka ( major part of which remains in tact). No costs during this period were passed onto the tourists.
Despite the death toll of 150 tourists and around 100 reported missing, a large number of tourists opted to stay on and spend rest of the holiday elsewhere in Sri Lanka. Beaches have been part of our diversity of products and a higher percentage of tourists were in any event holidaying in other parts of the Island such as Cultural triangle and Mountains at the time of the tidal waves.
There have been some fears on epidemics. However, according to the National health services, there have been no reported incidents of any spreading of disease or any sign of epidemic. The Director General of World Health Organization who visited Sri Lanka last week has commended the health services that are being carried out in Sri Lanka.
The industry together with direct assistance from my Ministry and its Institutions are endeavoring to bring the operations in Beach Resorts to normalcy. Several hotels in the South Coast areas have already resumed operations. Only a few hotels have suffered major structural damages. The rebuilding process has begun and a large number of beach resorts will be back in operation soon.
The Tour operators could continue to have their business transactions and send the holiday makers to Sri Lanka. As for the Sun and Beach holiday makers, local industry will continue to update them of the available and increasing accommodation position in beach resorts.
As Minister in charge of Tourism, I can assure all our Tourism partners and tour operators abroad that Sri Lanka is well geared for tourism activities and the holiday makers need not have any second thought about our capacities in every aspects of Tourism services. That said, the best way for holiday makers abroad could help Sri Lanka in our overall efforts to rehabilitate affected areas and build the country for a better future is to visit Sri Lanka and keep the economy moving.
Theodore is the Co-Founder and Managing Editor of TravelDailyNews Media Network; his responsibilities include business development and planning for TravelDailyNews long-term opportunities.
