THASL welcomes softening of travel advisories

• Concerned over UK keeping travel advisories unchanged, appeals for a revision soon

The Tourist Hotels Association of Sri Lanka (THASL) yesterday hailed the easing of travel advisories by India and China as well as several European countries and hoped it would encourage more travellers to the country.   

However, the association raised concerns over the United Kingdom keeping its travel advisory on Sri Lanka unchanged despite the situation within the country returning to normal.

“Currently hotels countrywide are receiving inquiries from British guests who traditionally visit the country during the August school holidays but are unable to finalise their travel plans due to the advisory,” THASL said in a communique. THASL further pointed out as the UK was the single largest market to Sri Lanka from Europe with great air connectivity, it was important for the local industry to revise its travel advisory, especially in the light of steps taken by other countries in the region.

“We appeal to the UK Government to reconsider its stance on Sri Lanka,” THASL said. 

As one the leading bodies for hotels in Sri Lanka, THASL assured it took the security of hotels and its visitors seriously and was continuously looking at security training and enhancements to provide the best possible protection for all travellers. 

THASL also said a series of seminars on hotel security and safety with Sri Lankan, US and UK experts would be held in the coming weeks and the first in the series was scheduled to be held on 9 June at The Kingsbury, where NTU Singapore Professor of Security Studies Dr. Rohan Gunaratne will deliver a special speech titled ‘Threat of Islamic State: Managing Hotel Security’.