Sri Lanka Association of Inbound Tour Operators (SLAITO) President Nishad Wijetunga hailed the statement made by President Ranil Wickremesinghe at the 68th AGM of THASL at Shangri La Hotel on Monday night to do away with the MRR.
He said that the MRR never did any good for the industry as occupancy rates of city hotels dropped drastically due to this. “We must get-together and promote the city.”
Area General Manager, Hilton, Manesh Fernando said that as the president said Sri Lanka must first compete in the world to get our fair share of tourists by offering differentiated products and experiences.”
The country must target at least 5 million arrivals which in turn will help rates to improve. Tourism is not an industry for just a few to enjoy,” he said.
Meanwhile, projecting a different view Managing Director, Colombo City Hotel, Gamini Mathew a member of THASL (representing hotels below 50 rooms) said: “We along with the President of THASL, strongly believe that the minimum rate will help all hotels in the long run.”
He said due to the MRR their operations costs came down as they were able to operate the hotel with a lesser number of rooms/guests but with the same or even more revenue. THASL President Shanthi Kumara said that they have to now relook at the whole MRR again after the President expressed his views against the implementation of it.
