Negative portrayal of Sri Lanka hits tourism sector hard: Tour operators

1 October 2022 04:00 am - 13 - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

A A A

Campaigns by UNICEF, Lions Clubs International, Sri Lanka and various INGOs using pictures of undernourished African children have worsened situation
Tourism industry asserts irresponsible statements from local government bodies together with images of street protests being quelled using force, far outweigh any positive publicity efforts

The exaggerated negative portrayal of the current situation in Sri Lanka is taxing the hard-hit tourism sector, making it increasingly difficult to move towards the path of revival.

Despite several attempts by the industry stakeholders to share the improved situation for tourists, where effective measures are taken to ensure they are cushioned against the prevailing challenges in the national economy, campaigns carried out by certain non-governmental organisations (NGOs) to assist the island nation in its time of need are proving to be counter-effective.

The tourism industry stakeholders shared that due to the said campaigns, it is rather unfortunate that the key source markets are under the impression that Sri Lanka is not equipped to cater to the needs and wants of international travellers.

The participation at the IFTM in Paris was an eye-opener for the tourism sector, as it showcased the perception of destination Sri Lanka in the international platform.

“Having just attended the IFTM in Paris and having visited tour operators in France, Belgium, the Netherlands and other key source markets, it is disappointing to report that the one salient common question being asked is ‘does Sri Lanka have a food shortage?’ This question is then followed by ‘aren’t children facing malnutrition?’” said the Sri Lanka Association of Inbound Tour Operators (SLAITO) sharing an update on its participation in the travel show it attended in France this month.

The campaigns carried out by the UNICEF, Lions Clubs International in Sri Lanka and various INGOs to collect funds to feed the children in Sri Lanka, using pictures of undernourished African children on their publicity material, have worsened the image of the island nation, the association said.

The SLAITO asserted that irresponsible statements from local government bodies together with images of street protests being quelled using force, the negative images going out into the world far outweigh any positive publicity efforts.

“All this is at a time when the need of the hour is earning foreign exchange for our basic requirements, for which tourism is the ideal industry.

We need the collective support of all Sri Lankans to help rebuild the tourism industry and in the process, to help to come out of this economic crisis, in a sustainable manner, by earning the required foreign exchange as opposed to depending only on handouts,” the SLAITO said.

Order Gifts and Flowers to Sri Lanka. See Kapruka's top selling online shopping categories such as Toys, Grocery, Kids Toys, Birthday Cakes, Fruits, Chocolates, Clothing and Electronics. Also see Kapruka's unique online services such as Money Remittence,Astrology, Courier/Delivery, Medicine Delivery and over 700 top brands. Also get products from Amazon & Ebay via Kapruka Gloabal Shop into Sri Lanka

Comments - 13

Robin Banks Saturday, 01 October 2022 08:17 AM

People don't want to visit a country that violates human rights. Tourism will return to normal when the criminal politicians and the rajapaksa housemaid a.k.a ranil are kicked out.

Punchi Saturday, 01 October 2022 08:21 AM

We have by our own actions and ignoring accepted international norms of human rights for all, dignity for all, were self destructing and now area at the beginning of the end. We have been fooling the international community and ourselves for ages and now we are all experiencing the consequences of our actions

Jude Saturday, 01 October 2022 08:28 AM

Facts are stubborn they say!! No amount of paint can't cover The SL bleak picture!! Yeah!!

Portrayal Saturday, 01 October 2022 09:22 AM

Portrayal doesn't imply that's what's not real. In fact what is being portraid so far and visible to the international community is just a fraction of the reality of what is SL. There's more happening under the surface. Only the government's high handed measures are concealing the entire reality from being publicised.

Terrence Saturday, 01 October 2022 09:35 AM

By camouflaging the truth it will not be possible to address what the public are suffering in different areas of livelihood we need a realistic approach not Boru show

Sandy Saturday, 01 October 2022 09:59 AM

Give multi year tourist visa to people from developed countries. Let them stay for long period.

Dieter Ulrich, Germany Saturday, 01 October 2022 10:47 AM

A lot of Europeans can not afford to travel that far anymore. We have our own financial crisis because of the Ukrainian war. And we all know Sri Lanka is buddies with Putin. A very bad reputation indeed.

Sreepada Saturday, 01 October 2022 11:06 AM

I , along with my friends and family, had planned to come to SL for a week. But after a friend's advise on how SL people see Indians negatively, We dropped. India is a huge country of rising middle class who have the capacity to spend in nearby tourist destinations such as SL. Many Indians go to Maldives to spend vacation. I hope SL will also become such tourist attraction for Indians and also others in near future.

Action for freedom Saturday, 01 October 2022 11:11 AM

Tourists should not come to countries which are continually trampling on their citizens human rights, and baring for free expression. Tourists who travel to Sri Lanka are causing the government to get even more over-confident, and worsen the future.

KD Saturday, 01 October 2022 03:10 PM

Now all those who protested can sit in regret. They made a bad situation much worse. Instead of going through democratic procedures they decided to stage a coup and kick out a democratically elected President. You reap what you sow.

Seb Saturday, 01 October 2022 06:20 PM

Well, another big problem is the fuel quote as many tourists like to explore the city/island which with only 4L per week doesn't get you far.

Dinesh Sunday, 02 October 2022 03:22 AM

Putting lipstick on a pig and salt on a shit sandwich. The curtain has been raised on SL, and nobody likes what they see and smell. The ongoing shame of Easter bombings will only become more rancid as the years go by.

Hyacinth Sunday, 02 October 2022 02:17 PM

Is there anything positive to portray on Sri Lanka anymore at the moment?

Add comment
Comments will be edited (grammar, spelling and slang) and authorized at the discretion of Daily Mirror online. The website also has the right not to publish selected comments.

Negative portrayal of Sri Lanka hits tourism sector hard: Tour operators

Comments - 13

Add comment

RECOMMENDED

‘Spike in blast fishing’ poses renewed threats to Sri Lanka’s marine ecosystems

UDA owned land in Thalawathugoda; UDA Minister Prasanna Ranatunga under the spotlight for forceful occupation of reserved land

Loss-making SMIB faces political pressure in recovering loans

Baltimore Bridge Collapse: MV Dali, SL authorities anchored in mystery?

Has Sri Lanka become a potential hub for the illegal wildlife trade?

Spotlight on Moragahakanda Development Project Moragolla villagers lose livelihoods and down to one meal a day

Ambitious Sri Lankan jobseekers ‘trafficked into Ukraine war zones’

Most Viewed in News

Gota fires back at Cardinal, rebuts allegations

New Visa procedure implemented

Street food vendor arrested for verbally harassing foreigner

Complaint lodged over Piumi Hansamali's possession of Gota’s Range Rover

Former MP Palitha Thewarapperuma dies from electrocution

Sri Lankan among NASA’s new crew for next simulated Mars journey

MIRROR CRICKET

Is Chamari Athapaththu Sri Lanka’s greatest cricketer ever?

Athapaththu back atop ICC Women’s ODI Batting Rankings

Chamari Athapaththu sets big goal for T20 World Cup

How does CSK get best out of Pathirana?

TODAY'S HEADLINES

No footboard riding allowed, no liability for accidents: Railways Department

Six patients claim Rs.600 million from Keheliya and others for permanent loss of sight

SLPP, UNP initiates action for forming broad alliance

Here is the way!

Pakistan lose key players for last two T20Is against New Zealand

Sri Lanka secures third spot in South Asian Kurash Championship 2024

Athapaththu back atop ICC Women’s ODI Batting Rankings

Army forms committee to probe Diyatalawa Fox Hill Supercross accident