Officials justify stagnant tourism revenue while industry awaits concrete strategy

> PIN TOURISM SHORTFALL ON EXCHANGE RATES > DO NOT ACKNOWLEDGE GAPS IN POLICY AND STRATEGY

- By SHABIYA ALI AHLAM

Sri Lanka is on track for a record year in tourist arrivals, but revenue from the sector remains flat. Senior officials this week acknowledged the issue. However, they went on to attribute the shortfall to structural issues and exchange rate fluctuations, rather than admitting gaps in policy or strategy.

Tourism Minister Vijitha Herath and Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority (SLTDA) Chairman Buddhika Hewawasam, speaking at the 60th Annual General Meeting of The Hotels Association of Sri Lanka (THASL) this week, offered industry stakeholders justifications and explanations, while concrete plans to convert rising arrivals into higher earnings remain absent.

Minister Herath was quick to link the rising tourist arrivals to the political and economic stability. “When there is good and strong stability in the country without ethnic conflicts, religious conflicts and riots, tourists will want to come to Sri Lanka,” he said.

Tourist earnings for October were recorded at US$ 186.1 million, barely above last year’s US$ 185.6 million, even as arrivals jumped to 165,193 from 135,907 a year ago. The mismatch, first evident in September, has drawn criticism from industry stakeholders.