Tourism thrives in the North

by Lalin FERNANDOPULLE

The tourism industry in Jaffna is developing at a rapid pace with the construction of hotels, expansion and renovation of properties, said Jaffna Chamber of Commerce President K. Poornachandran.

He said the Chamber is supporting the initiatives undertaken by hoteliers to set up hotels that will boost the tourism industry in the North. Many hotel operators have shown a keen interest in building hotels in the North which is fast becoming a preferred destination for tourists.

ExpoAir, a subsidiary of ExpoLanka Group resumed flights to Jaffna this year and Expo Aviation, a subsidiary of Expo Lanka Holdings launched the Expo Pavilion, a colonial style resthouse for discerning travellers to the North. In another groundbreaking move Mercantile Merchant Bank Ltd. and the Jetwing Group invested Rs. 700 million on a 14-storied star-class hotel in Jaffna.

The foundation stone for ‘Yarl Jetwing’ was laid last week. The hotel will comprise 76 rooms, a roof-top swimming pool and a presidential suite. Work on the project is expected to be completed in 18 months. Jetwing Group Chairman, Hiran Cooray said that the hotel will provide a large number of employment opportunities to youth in the area.

The hotel will boost income and business opportunities for self-employed, micro enterprises and farmers.

According to historical records Jaffna was open for tourists during the reign of King Parakramabahu. There are a number of tourist attractions in Jaffna and most of them had survived terrorism.

A tourism promotion program was launched recently to promote archaeologically important places in the Jaffna peninsula.

Around 40 sites have been recognised to promote the tourism industry in the region. The old Dutch Fort of Jaffna is a major tourist attraction built by the Dutch in the eighteenth century to hold power over the Jaffna lagoon.

The fort covers about forty-nine acres. The Delft island named after the Dutch town on 35 kilometres away from Jaffna is an attraction for visitors. The Isle of Mannar at one end of “Adam’s Bridge”, a group of sandy islands formed in the fashion of a marine causeway is said to have connected India and Sri Lanka in the past. There had been a ferry service between Sri Lanka and the subcontinent. People of all faiths visit Kankesanthurai, Keerimalai to take a bath.

The Nallur kovil is an other major tourist attraction in the North. Poornachandran said that the members of the chamber will promote the setting up of small and medium level industries with the assistance of various funding agents as soon as infrastructure work is completed, especially electricity is supplied.

He said that the International Trade Fair was a huge success as the participants gained immensely by showcasing their products, technological know-how, expertise, purchasing machinery holding one-on-one meetings with foreign buyers and appointing local agents.

The trade fair provided a sound platform for interaction among people in the North and the South.

The third Jaffna International Trade Fair (JIFT) 2012 was held at the Alfred Duraiappah Stadium in Jaffna from January 20-22.

The trade fair attracted over 200 companies local and international with over 300 stalls. Within three years, the Trade Fair has been earmarked as a must-see event by many local traders and residents as it paves the way for direct links in the Peninsula with other parts of the global and local trade.

The industries include tourism and hospitality, construction, food, beverages and packing, agriculture, fisheries, Information and communication technology, apparel, automobile, financial services and consumer goods. Poornachandran said micro level industries have been developed and industrialists are setting up small and medium level factories and when the infrastructure is ready they will commence operations. There is enormous potential for development in the North.