Inbound tour operators welcome imminent lifting of emergency rule

• SLAITO President says move will help tourism industry
• France relaxes travel advisory; industry expects other countries to follow

SLAITO President  Nishard Wijetunga

The Sri Lanka Association of Inbound Tour Operators (SLAITO) with ‘One Industry One Voice’

yesterday welcomed the announcement by President Ranil Wickremesinghe about the likelihood of the State of Emergency being withdrawn by this week.

“We are indeed happy to hear that plans are in place not to extend Emergency regulations beyond this weekend. This move will no doubt open the doors for tourism to flourish once again,” SLAITO President Nishard Wijetunga said.

“With this important move and the easing of the fuel supplies, we hope the foreign governments will lift the negative travel advisories currently in place, on travel to Sri Lanka which will be another positive move,” he added.

SLAITO Chief emphasised that it was time that the private sector as an industry got together to promote Sri Lanka once again.

“We look forward to working closely with the newly appointed Tourism Advisory Committee in this endeavour,” Wijetunga said.

He also expressed hope that SLAITO would be able to participate in the forthcoming important trade fairs IFTM Paris, WTM London and ITB Berlin which will no doubt be a boost to the industry.

“We also hope to  host the Travel Agents Association of India congress together with the SLTPB, which has been postponed to November. I am delighted to learn that the French authorities have relaxed the travel advisory to Sri Lanka which is a welcome move. We hope the others will follow,” SLAITO Chief added.