Kandy Hoteliers peace walk to attract tourists back in SL

By Shamseer Jaleel

Rodney Armstrong

Kandy Hoteliers Association led by President Rodney Armstrong in unison of 21 properties organised a peace walk in Kandy City recently with the intention of wooing tourists back into the country.  

The event took place on 8 June with the hoteliers representing all 21 properties joining the walk with peaceful slogans encouraging tourists to visit Sri Lanka.  

Speaking to Daily FT, Rodney said: “This is definitely not a protest; we are only trying to bring back the industry and you can see by the crowd here that most hotels are empty today. 

KHA President also said: “What we are trying to do is to get back the Tourism Industry up and floating so that we can get us out of this mess, as it is the Tourism Industry that’s the first to get affected whenever any incident takes place in the country.” 

“We are still undergoing the adverse effects following the Easter Bombings, all we ask the Government is to speak to the embassies, endeavour towards lifting the travel bans for this is the one industry that retains dollars within the country,” Armstrong added.

Speaking further he said: “This Initiative by the KHA was therefore to set the record straight that Sri Lanka is safe to travel and its many stakeholders big and small eagerly await with open arms in welcoming our beloved patrons all the while ensuring the safety and wellbeing of them. Sri Lankans take great pride in its tourism industry.  It is considered by them an honour in showcasing the nation’s greatest wealth, its culture and diversity.

Armstrong said: “Tourism being the third largest foreign exchange earner of Sri Lanka was the livelihood of many. Whilst in Bound Tourism in Sri Lanka comprised both of mass tourists and backpackers the benefits from which was derived by many stakeholders from  the hospitality providers, event and tour organisers to the very street hawker, transport provider, three-wheel driver, street-side vendor and common village farmer enriching and supporting the lives of millions.  

“Wishing our tourism and hospitality professionals all the very best in the tireless efforts taken in restoring the industry to its former glory in an endeavour in nourishing the lives of the fellow communities,” he added.