The Hotels Association of Sri Lanka’s (THASL) Executive meeting members took a bold decision to strongly recommend to reduce consumption of imported goods and services in hotel operations as it is a critical aspect to bring about economic stability in the country.
“Adhering to the request of the Central Bank THASL says the hotel sector in the country has a large role to play in contributing to bring about economic stability.
Traditionally, hotels have been using imported food items and others in their daily use. This now needs to be relooked at in the present context,” THASL President M. Shanthikumar said.
“As much as, in foreign exchange earnings, tourism stood as the second highest forex earner to the country with hotels contributing to most of it. Our main focus has always been to increase forex earnings. Now THASL has gone a step forward to curtail costs,” he added.
“Understanding the present climate and the risk of the country being at the brink of collapse unless consumption is reduced, we felt it is the duty of our sector to take some bold decisions. THASL took a bold decision to recommend to its membership to reduce consumption of imported goods and services with immediate effect.
If a focused approach is taken, the hoteliers feel that this will contribute tremendously to economic recovery.
The standard of most Sri Lankan products is now of very high standards and foreign travellers love to experience the destination including its cuisine apart from the cultural and natural attractions the country has on offer.
“Hoteliers were very vocal about the fact that tourists do not demand imported food items when they stay in hotels. This is a misconception one hotelier stated. In fact, they are more than happy to experience the Sri Lankan flavours,” he said.
In 2018, the registered accommodation sector generated an annual revenue exceeding Rs. 120 billion with a large portion of this coming in as foreign exchange or being converted at the prevalent exchange rates on dollar contracts.
Food and beverage are key elements in a hotel and the need to reduce the use of imported items to reduce dollar outflow has now been identified and THASL is committed to pushing this initiative out to their membership.
Jetwing Group of Hotels Chairman Hiran Cooray said that the entire gamut of the Tourism product should be ‘ uniquely Sri Lankan’.
Having hotels ranging from 3 stars to top end boutique properties earning room rates exceeding $ 500-600 per day, Jetwing Hotels had taken this decision over 8 years ago and today 90% of the products used in Jetwing hotels are produced locally “not a single complaint,” he proudly stated.
Known for its top-end boutique properties across the country, Resplendent Isle Chairman Malik Fernando endorsed the initiative. He stated that Sri Lanka hotels should be bold to be indigenous and be proud to sell our own products.
Tourism earnings amidst turbulent times have recorded exceeding $ 600 million as at end-May. The industry is confident that a peaceful political environment will help drive this figure to a target of an additional $ 1.5 billion by the end of 2022.
