Industry fears other tour operators will follow TUI

The local tourism industry has received a dangerous signal with TUI, one of the world’s largest tour companies, halting services to Sri Lanka, sector stakeholders said.

Speaking to Mirror Business, tourism sector stakeholders said they expect the crumbling situation of the industry to further deteriorate. 

“This is a dangerous signal that we have received. What will happen next is that every other tour operator will follow,” said The Hotels’ Association of Sri Lanka (THASL) 
President M. Shanthikumar.

Sri Lanka must “sharpen up” its focus and must look to urgently get all the wrongs right. Failing to do so will lead to an even worse situation, he cautioned.

“TUI pulling out is not at all acceptable,” Shanthikumar reiterated.
The German tour company pulling out means the visitations and bookings from international tourists will dip by at least 50 percent, the Sri Lanka Association of Inbound Tour Operators (SLAITO) shared.

SLAITO Past President Mahen Kariyawasam said the move by TUI will further impact the struggling industry in addition to an increase in cancellations, the bookings reducing.
With the state of emergency still in force, tourists are less inclined to visit the country due to uncertainties and security risks.

From the perspective of travel agents, they discourage travel to destinations where governments have issued travel advisories as higher insurance cover charges need to be absorbed.