Sri Lanka’s promotions and slashing of room rates woo tourists back to the island
Sri Lanka’s battered tourism industry is trying to woo visitors back to beaches deserted after the deadly Easter bombings, slashing hotel rates and pushing promotions in key markets like Russia, Reuters news agency has reported.
The Reuters report states that to lure tourists back, Sri Lanka is hosting international sporting events, and has mothballed a rule on minimum rates for hotel stays. State-owned SriLankan Airlines is offering special fares and pushing joint promotions with the Government’s tourism board. Some hotels are waiving corkage fees on day trips, while tour groups are offering free airport pickups.
Lavanga Resort & Spa in the southern beach resort of Hikkaduwa, for example, is offering rooms for $35 instead of the usual US$75 – with free breakfast, the report states. Travel agents are promoting the offer in Russia, with some success.
“We have offered rock bottom rates for foreigners. We are getting bookings for the winter season,” Lavanga’s managing director, Anusha Frydman has said.
Reservations for the next few months remain tepid, however, with occupancy around 10% versus 30% last year.
The Reuters report has further stated that some tourists are lapping up a dream vacation on the cheap.
“I secured a six-night stay in a plush southern hotel for $200, which included complimentary Ayurvedic treatment,” 52 year-old Leif Ohlson from Sweden has said.
Data suggests more and more foreigners are emulating him.
OSL take:
The many steps taken by the government of Sri Lanka along with stakeholders of the country’s tourism sector are yielding results with foreigners returning to the island nation following the negative blow suffered by the industry following the Easter Sunday attacks. Therefore, foreign businesses could explore business/investment opportunities in Sri Lanka’s tourism sector.
| Article Code : | VBS/AT/12062019/Z_2 |