“Hospitality doesn’t die just because inflation is high” - Harin

9 November 2022 07:17 am - 21 - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

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Pitches SL as a safe and secure destination that places hospitality at its core
Says country cheaper than competitors and offers value for money

Tourism Minister Harin Fernando appealed to international travellers to add Sri Lanka to their travel wish list, assuring tourists are cushioned from the economic shocks the country is undergoing, and that they will be well looked after.

Fernando, currently at the World Travel Market 2022 London (WTM), pitched Sri Lanka as a safe and secure destination that places hospitality at its core, regardless of the situation in the country.

“Hospitality doesn’t die just because inflation is high,” said Fernando in an interview with BBC on the sidelines of the WTM 2022 London.

“The world is going through a recession and Sri Lanka is also a part of it. Sri Lanka is a resilient nation and our main income comes from tourism. Tourism is key for us,” said the Minister.

Fernando stressed Sri Lanka is a hospitable nation, and offers value for money when compared with its competitors.

Admitting that the Lankan rupee is weak against foreign currencies, he pointed out that as a result one can do “quite a lot” in the picturesque island nation.

As gas and electricity prices have soared in Europe, which makes heating during the winter expensive, Fernando shared that Sri Lanka makes the ideal destination to spend the season given that it is still economical despite the sharp increase in cost of living.

“Sri Lanka is still far cheaper. It is a cheaper stay and offers you a quality holiday. The industry has done some fantastic work in marketing and promotions,” said the Minister.

When pointed out by the BBC that Sri Lanka is not competitive in its rates for the winter season since it is priced higher than destinations such as Phuket, Pattaya, Bali, Vietnam, and Cambodia, to name a few, Fernando dismissed the statement pointing out Sri Lanka is different.

“Sri Lanka is a different brand, a different product. We are not Bali, we are not Thailand…We are not going for the numbers. We only have 40,000 rooms which is equivalent to Qatar. We have different price points, from high-end to back-packing. Either way Sri Lanka is cheaper,” asserted the Minister.

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Comments - 21

Sambo Wednesday, 09 November 2022 07:57 AM

You are only a big talker with no idea of what the hotel industry is and the basics to improve.

Shelly Belly Wednesday, 09 November 2022 08:17 AM

Backpackers and luxury travelers can find packages for their budget in any country in the world. It's not something unique to Sri Lanka. The LKR is weak and everything is more expensive because of this devaluation. There is no advantage to traveling all the way there when countries in the region offer so much more in terms of value, safety, professionalism, privacy, and affordable options for shopping, food, transportation and hotels. Non SL citizen tourists also have to pay double for everything compared to local tourists. It is a discriminatory standard in tourism you don't find anywhere else in the world. When my friends from the USA ask about traveling to Sri Lanka we have to also explain to them that they will be paying double just because they are non citizen travelers. How embarrassing.

Jude Wednesday, 09 November 2022 08:25 AM

Hey Harin, you don't have a long-term plan to get tourists to visit SL as ONE of the sough after destination in southeast Asia!! Harin just check why Thailand, Vietnam, Laos, Cambodia, Philippines, Myanmar, Indonesia and Malaysia attracting millions of tourists each year!!

Ian Ramsden Wednesday, 09 November 2022 08:26 AM

On my calculations we are 56% cheaper than Dubai which the large operators are pushing on a similar basis. And we offer a hell of a lot more than Dubai!

SC Wednesday, 09 November 2022 08:27 AM

Mr Minister, "the whole world is in recession and as a result our country is also a part of it" is not an accurate statement. Our country is in deep shit because of the mismanagement (daylight robbery) of funds by our leaders. Please don't even try to put it on something else. I like the rest of what you have said, and I do hope we can come out of this rut...

Punchi Wednesday, 09 November 2022 08:46 AM

When the colonial powers ruled our country their citizens in most instances were given privileges and priority. Now after 74 years of independence the descendants of our colonial rulers are being invited by our political masters assuring they will be given privileges and priority not available to us the ordinary masses, the people of this Buddhist paradise

Jude Wednesday, 09 November 2022 08:56 AM

Harin what you do best is backstabbing your leader !!

Nilmini Welivita Wednesday, 09 November 2022 09:03 AM

Mr Sleazy is covering for his criminal masters by making it sound like SL economic foes are due to the world economy shrinking. SL was a resilient country because the people had hope in the past. Now all hope is lost thanks to the corrupt rajapaksas and untrustworthy people like yourself.

Namal Rajapaksa Wednesday, 09 November 2022 09:11 AM

Wow this guy should be nominated for a Nobel prize in economics. Didn't realize we had such talented politicians in SL. Hope he is enjoying his trip to London after such hard work. We are so happy he is on our team.

rbh Wednesday, 09 November 2022 09:13 AM

There lots of unknown places which nobody has heard of before. You must explore these beautiful places. But cannot do this ha guiders they have no resources the tourist looks for long trips hospitability is basic requirement to any country.

Hawkeye Wednesday, 09 November 2022 11:00 AM

By pegging hotel charges to US$ Sri Lanka is not doing itself any favour. Since US$ is so high the hotel charges in Sri Lanka are prohibitively high compared to similar hotels in SE Asia where travel and food is cheap. The only way SL is going to attract genuine tourists is to make their hotel charges more competitive. No point in the Minister Concerned standing on top of a building and doing a Bila Dance if he cannot seriously think of making Hotel charges more competitive. All what you are going to do is attract shoestring budgeted tourists from east Europe.

Tom Wednesday, 09 November 2022 11:38 AM

cliche statements - people know it, @Harin, find a different job

Ravi Wednesday, 09 November 2022 01:21 PM

Harin please do not expose your knowledge and the standard.

Grace Wednesday, 09 November 2022 01:29 PM

You should take tourists on Wattala - Hekitta road to have a different experience to promote tourism. Don't forget that you are the MP this electorate. Get lost . Nobody has regard for you

Iwazaru Wednesday, 09 November 2022 04:46 PM

This clown is a OL educated dude. He knows nothing about economics or political. Just talks crap.

Douglas Palankanda Wednesday, 09 November 2022 05:01 PM

Where is your Amudaya? Did you give it to RW and took his nicker for you!! A good exchange.

Down the prices Wednesday, 09 November 2022 06:30 PM

Sri Lanka is known internationally as not worth traveling too for being less value for money. The restrictions on dollars going out of the country, as well as the fixed peg are problems. The rupee is actually worth half of what the fixed peg has it as. There is a great disaster ahead for keeping up the facade. The impact will be lessened the sooner the restrictions on outflow is removed, along with the fix/peg on the dollar.

Kasiyapa Wednesday, 09 November 2022 07:35 PM

When pimps like you're in SL , tourism will never die .

Sambo Wednesday, 09 November 2022 08:36 PM

Sure thing. But they keep away.

GHT Wednesday, 09 November 2022 10:40 PM

Do you know what is really meant by HOSPITALITY?

Dinesh Thursday, 10 November 2022 03:22 AM

When presented with irrefutable facts on price points, he quite simply started lying. On air, on the BBC. And as the stupidest of the stupid, I assume he thinks he got away with it. How lowbrow can one be?

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“Hospitality doesn’t die just because inflation is high” - Harin

Comments - 21

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