Tourism, vital cog, of economy in dire straits

By Harischandra Gunaratna

The emigration statistics revealed that at least 32% of tourism industry experts had left the country for foreign employment, and 32 Sri Lankans left for greener pastures every hour, since early this year due to the current economic downturn, said Dr. Harsha Jayasinghe, the newly elected Chairman of Institute of Hospitality.

Dr. Jayasinghe delivering his address after being elected the new Chairman of the local affiliate of the leading British based Institute of Hospitality Industry at the RamadaColombo recently said: “Against this backdrop, we face a formidable challenge to come up with a solid plan to create strategies to retain the skilled employees in the local industry whilst attracting more newcomers, especially youth to the industry.

“The recent government decision to revoke the emergency regulations is a step in the right direction and it augurs well for the already ailing tourism industry in the country which needs a tremendous boost,” the news Chairman said.

“There is a dire necessity to motivate specially youngsters, to undergo training in varied disciplines in the hospitality industry and I am proud to say that the country possesses the expertise to do the job. However, the majority of Sri Lankans still do not view tourism as the ideal field for their children to make a career of. Hence, it is of paramount importance that we change their mind-set”, he said.

For the past few decades, tourism has become a key income generator for the country, especially in terms of foreign exchange. Therefore, it has to be protected by all stakeholders and the powers that be has a bounden duty to provide every incentive to protect and develop the tourism industry which is a money spinner, Jayasinghe opined.

Tourism is the third largest foreign exchange earner in the country. It provides employment directly and indirectly to a large number of people and has helped immensely to bring in the much needed foreign currency to government coffers.

Although 52% of the total population of the country are women, they are highly under-represented in the tourism industry. The tourism industry in Sri Lanka today is highly male dominated. It is important to find suitable measures to offer women the appropriate flexibility and incentives to increase their contribution to the industry, Dr. Jayasinghe pointed out.

Young professionals need attractive career prospects which will help us keep them in the industry. But if necessary appreciation and recognition is not given to them, they will unfortunately leave and that will be a huge loss to the already ailing industry.

The Institute of Hospitality UK is the world-wide professional body for individual managers and potential managers in the Hospitality industry (Leisure and Tourism Industries). The Institute supports its members throughout their careers, through dissemination of the latest industry information. Institute of Hospitality Sri Lanka Chapter is a member of the IH UK.For the past few decades, tourism has become an income generator which is needed to protect, conserve and enhance Sri Lanka’s natural environment as well as the tangible and intangible cultural and historic assets.