Garbage on beach, a cause for concern:

Tourists flock to 'Little Rome'

By P. Krishnaswamy

Sri Lanka is a favourite destination for tourists the world over. They love the amazing diversity of scenery, sun-bronzed beaches, sanctuaries for wildlife in tropical jungles and the hill country tea plantations, literally within hours of each other.

Although there has been an ebb in the trend of tourist flows for nearly 30 years, until terrorism was wiped out in May 2009, a 50 percent leap was recorded in 2010 with over 600,000 tourist arrivals. Last year's arrivals were even higher.

This scenario was also reflected in Negombo, one of the most sought after tourist destinations in the island. Dubbed 'Little Rome' for its spectacular landscape, monumental churches, vast and tranquil beaches, sail boats, hotels, seafood and shopping centres, the fishing town attracts a large number of tourists every year. Tourists prefer it also for the reason that it is only six kilometres from the Bandaranaike International Airport.

Lewis Place, the main hub of tourism in Negombo, is a narrow road along the sea coast extending about three kilometres. It is flanked by the Dutch canal and the sea and is knitted on both sides with tourist hotels, inns, restaurants, bars, historical churches, ayurveda spas, pharmacies, tour vehicle centres, and shops selling a variety of handicraft items including leather products, gems and jewellery, batik items, tea packets and sunglasses.

In the backdrop of the Government being committed towards achieving its target of 2.5 million tourist arrivals by 2016, the Sunday Observer visited Lewis Place to observe the trend of tourist arrivals and to talk to some of the tourists present to get their views on Sri Lanka's tourism and hospitality industry and any shortcomings which they encountered. The Sunday Observer also talked to hotel managers, private tourism promoters and owners of tour vehicles.

More tourists arrive in Sri Lanka now Churches, another draw

Tourist arrivals have markedly increased with the start of the summer holidays in Western countries. Since morning, tour buses have been arriving and departing, bringing in and taking away tourists, most of them from European countries, some from Australia, some from Japan and other countries. In the evening some of the tourists were at roadside restaurants with their family members or companions, enjoying a drink and the local cuisine, some at shopping centres, some at the beach and some taking a walk.

Asylum seekers

In addition to questions relevant to the tourism sector, questions regarding Sri Lankans arriving as 'boat people' in Christmas Island, seeking asylum, were also posed to the Australian tourists whom the Sunday Observer met.

All tourists said that their first and foremost attraction is Negombo's beautiful and wide expanse of beach, but they were sad to observe that it was full of garbage. This problem needs to be looked into by the authorities, they said.

Extracts of the interviews:

Australian tourists Jeremy Buultjens, a university professor of Sri Lankan origin, and his wife Andy, who is a teacher:

"I migrated to Australia over 50 years ago. As regards the tourism sector, the standard is very good. The food is very good. However, the rubbish on the beach is not very good. I think this is a problem which the authorities need to address. If not for that minus point, everything else is fine. Sri Lanka is a wonderful place for tourists.

"Australia does not allow illegal migrants because we have a very strict immigration policy. The government and the opposition in parliament have got a very strong stance against illegal migrants. It is very hard for such people to get immigration status in Australia.

"Negombo particularly is a very, attractive tourist destination. The families of my three sons came with us for the first two weeks and they have now gone back to Australia."

Polish tourists Andriez and his partner Aga:

"I believe Sri Lanka is now picking up after the shock of the long drawn out conflict. So far, it looks really nice. We are Catholics and there are lots of churches that we can go to. Everything is fine, including the food, hospitality and the local people.

"But the biggest minus point we noticed so far is the beach because it is so dirty. It is beautiful, and big, but not clean. Accommodation in the hotel where we are staying is good, but not as clean as it should be and the prices are a little bit higher compared to other places in Sri Lanka. Tourists come here because it is the closest place to the airport."

Polite people

Tourists are hooked by the Sri Lankan cuisine

Hotel occupancy rates have gone up

British tourists Forrest Wauoby and partner Petra Van Dijk from Holland (Both English Teachers in England):

"This place has got a lot more bars, restaurants and cafes than any other place. The beach is not as clean as it is in Colombo. They should clean it up. People here are very kind and polite. Food is excellent.

It is spicy, but good and we like it. Tourists come mainly because of the beach. That is the main point. If it is cleaned up, more tourists will arrive. Food in the restaurants is good".

Australian tourist Trevor Tindall (Retired Economics Teacher):

"This is my fourth visit to Sri Lanka. I find it very interesting in Negombo for a couple of reasons. I enjoy the sight of the catamarans in the mornings and enjoy the rest of the day seeing the sail boats in the sea. It has not changed. I have not seen them in other places.

"You have a very nice tropical atmosphere. Probably the only thing I have reservations about is the beach. I would like to see the beaches kept a little more clean. Other than that, I find it a very good place to come to.

"I arrived here from Bangkok last night after one a.m. The food is good. The hospitality is very fine. The food is a little bit spicy, but it is good. The local communities should get together and clean up the beach because they also depend on tourists. I find people friendly here. They smile, wave at me.

"Christmas Island is a detention centre. It is really like a prison. The Australian government's official policy is that any of the migrants should come through Australia's High Commissions or Embassies. Ilegal migration is like queue jumping. Some people are doing the right thing by applying through the Embassies or High Commissions. The problem in Sri Lanka, which had prevailed for many years, is not there now. There is no reason for anyone to leave Sri Lanka now.

"There are people from Afghanistan who come to Australia illegally. People from Pakistan and other countries, including Sri Lanka come. It sometimes takes as long as three years for some of these asylum seekers to get refugee status. It is a long process."

Local cuisine

Barbar Ali, Manager of the 'The O2' restaurant said that tourist arrivals this month are very good compared to previous months and the previous year. Tourists enjoy the local cuisine, he said.

S. Hasendran, Manager of Topaz Beach Hotel which has 14 air conditioned rooms and 16 non-A/C rooms said that 15 of the hotel rooms are now occupied by foreign tourists and the arrival of more tourists is anticipated in the days ahead. He complained that the high volumed music from the nearby pubs is a disturbance to tourists staying in the hotel.

Manager of Silva's Tours and Travels, a Small Luxury Hotel, said that the hotel has 20 A/C rooms and 10 Non A/C rooms. He also confirmed that the tourist industry in the location is gaining momentum.

S.A. Channaka Senanayake of Sea View Restaurant and Ship House also said that they have good business this season. Italian, French, Russian and Danish tourists patronise the restaurant, he said. The Rani Beach Resort is a three-star hotel, has 34 rooms and all rooms are occupied, its Manager Dinesh Fernando said. The hotel also has an adjoining tourist promotion centre where they provide useful information to tourists.

He said, that the current season is the best compared to many previous years. Owner of a six-seater A/C van Nuwan Rodrigo said that he hails from the local community and bought his vehicle on lease.

He is a member of the National Tourist Drivers' Association. He hires his vehicle for long distance trips of foreign tourists at a reasonable rate of US$ 60 per day. However, hotel owners in the vicinity are not hiring his vehicle, but getting vehicles from outside areas, he said.