Fresh efforts needed to revive tsunami hit region

Saturday, 15 Jun, 2005 0

Fresh efforts to revive tourism to tsunami affected regions are urgently needed as holidaymakers continue to believe the area lay in ruins, the Pacific Asia Travel Association has said.

Almost six months on from the Boxing Day tragedy, confusion, ignorance and misconception among the trade and consumers continue to dog the recovery.

PATA, backed by the Association of Independent Tour Operators and its specialist agent members, said messages about the region were still unclear.

PATA chief executive Tim Robinson called for a collective effort to promote the region.

“It is the responsibility of destinations, national tourism offices, suppliers and the UK industry to educate itself and consumers about what is happening,” he said.

“In Sri Lanka for example, most of the western coast between Bentota and Galle is open but that message is not getting through. Even the FCO is a little pessimistic as it says ‘some’ properties are up and running. I’d like that to read ‘most’ properties are open.

“Can you have a decent holiday combining the traditional cultural triangle and a few days at the beach? Yes. I know, because I have done it.”

Business to Phuket and Phi Phi also remain severely hit despite much of the infrastructure being open for business, he said.

“Even where numbers are up, yield is very low,” he added.

AITO specialist travel agents chairman Andrew Brownrigg said there remains a “serious misconception” that many areas are no-go zones.

“Without playing down the severity of the devastation, it is important to understand that only small areas of these countries were affected,” he said.

Paul Graham, of Silverbird tour operator, also said sales remained very weak.

“Hotels are running at low occupancies yet in Phuket, only Patong shows any sign at all of the tsunami and that’s mainly because some properties have put on hold repairs,” he said.

The Odyssey Experience said bookings remained “very modest” while Tropical Locations said hotel occupancy in Phuket has not recovered even though 95% are operating as normal.

Industry observers however, said Sri Lanka in particular needs to offer greater discounts to kick start sales. Hoteliers and suppliers are said to be reluctant to drop their rates for fear of permanently cheapening the product.

Report by Steve Jones