Sri Lanka’s hotels in the southern coast record 100 percent occupancy
Hotels in Sri Lanka’s southern coast have reportedly recorded 100 percent occupancy despite a drop in Chinese tourists due to the coronavirus outbreak.
Sri Lanka’s state owned English daily, the Daily News has stated that all Three Star Hotels and above category Hikkduwa beach frontage hotels are full with some hotels such as Cinnamon Tranz, Citus Waskaduwa and Coral Sands Hotels maintaining a 99 percent occupancy rate during the last two weeks while over 90 percent of the occupancy in the area is from foreigners.
Director Sales and Marketing, Citrus Group Mani Sugathapala has told the newspaper that the main market that is boosting the occupancy is Russia, Ukraine and Dutch market, which has not been shaken due to the coronavirus.
Chairman/ Managing Director of Mandara Hotels and Resorts in Weligama, Sagara Palihawadana has said that they too are ‘full,’ while they have a mix of Russian and also European guests. “Yes with the Coronavirus outbreak, we were worried but new arrivals are back to normal. However, there were a few British cancellations.”
Managing Director Thambapanni Leisure, Preshan Dissananyake has said the Unawatuna high end hotels too are reporting full occupancy.
Meanwhile, another hotelier has been quoted as saying that whale watching, water sports and surfing are available from Hikkaduwa to Mirissa and this is one reason that attracts tourists.
OSL take:
Sri Lanka’s tourism industry is on a continuous growth path and despite a decline in Chinese tourist, arrivals from other foreign countries remain high. Sri Lanka continues to be listed as a must visit destination by many globally renowned travel publications. Many international hotel brands are also keen on setting up hotels in Sri Lanka. All this has resulted in the expansion of business/investment opportunities in Sri Lanka’s tourism industry.
| Article Code : | VBS/AT/27022020/Z_4 |