Ebola, no threat to tourist arrivals

The spread of Ebola, the fatal virus that has taken the death toll to over 45,000, predominantly in West Africa, has posed a serious threat to global travel following travel restrictions to and from the epidemic-hit region.

Countries which attract a large number of tourists each year are bound to be hit by the spread of the deadly virus, according to travel experts.

Officials of Sri Lanka Tourism said the spread of Ebola could have a major impact on visitors to the country. However, there was no need to panic as no infected case has been reported among visitors to the country

.“We have taken steps to minimise the impact with the support of the Health Ministry,” an official said. City Hotels Association President Shanthi Kumar said that health checks are being done in all city hotels for contagious diseases and added that there has not been a single case of Ebola infected traveller to the country.

All precautions have been taken to prevent the spread of the disease.

“Hotel occupancy rate is around 65 percent which is slightly lower that last year's figure of 68 percent. Occupancy rates are low due to more hotels and rooms being built in the country,” he said.

Sri Lanka Convention Bureau Managing Director Vipula Wanigasekera said, "We don’t see any impact and there is not even the slightest fear at present. Besides, the health authorities have taken measures to prevent infected people entering the country and this would a relief to all those who are worried about this. “The crisis is in Africa and not in Sri Lanka which is totally out of the picture. We need not panic as many countries have taken steps to prevent the spread of the disease,” he said.