Hotels geared for grand summer:

Public, private collaboration help track future tourism growth

The government should recognise the potential of the tourism industry and provide a conducive environment to strengthen the private public partnership said President Tourist Hotels Association of Sri Lanka (THASL), Srilal Miththapala.

He said, more public private collaboration with clear policies will help track and charter the future growth of tourism in Sri Lanka.

"The Presidential task force on tourism development helps realise the potential of tourism for economic growth", Miththapala said.

Tourism has revived with a month-on-month increase in the number of tourists arrivals.

Several hotels reported a 100 percent occupancy rate this year which the industry takes pride on the achievement.

Hotels are gearing up for the forthcoming summer from May to October giving a facelift to all the hotels.

Preparations for the winter has already commenced in many hotels with a series of fulfilled activities to entertain visitors.

Around 1000 rooms in leading resort hotels will be temporarily out of stock due to refurbishment and upgrading facilities at an estimated cost of Rs. 3 billion.

Miththapala said there would be a large influx of tourists this year with peace restored and plans to increase the number of rooms. The number of hotel rooms is around 14,000.

Tourist arrivals in February this year topped 57,000 surpassing the figures of the same month in 2009 by a resounding 67 percent growth.

The tourism industry is targeting 2.5 million visitors each year from 2016.

"The increase in yields in addition to the numbers was impressive in February which has always been a peak month for tourism in Sri Lanka", Miththapala said.

Resorts in Negombo recorded the highest occupancies of close to 90 percent while hotels in other locations recorded a high occupancy rate.

Many hotels suspended forward sales due to overbooking.

Sri Lankan hotels lost to its regional competitors as the industry had to face a tough time during the conflict. Hotels did not have surplus money to plough back for renovation and promotional activities.

With price revision in the offing it is imperative that quality of service is improved to prevent the destination losing the money for value proposition.

The small and medium hotels which accounts for nearly 60 percent of the hotel sector need the support of the government to stay in business.

The SME sector has less access to capital and is more prone to crisis.