Tsunami-hit regions still suffering

Sunday, 13 Oct, 2005 0

Tourism Concern has launched a withering attack on authorities in tsunami-hit regions as communities struggle to get back on their feet.

More than nine months after the tragedy, local people remain homeless, distribution of aid remains poor and land is being grabbed by developers for inappropriate tourism projects, the body said.

The findings of the Tourism Concern are included in a damning report titled: Post-Tsunami reconstruction and tourism: A second disaster?

It has now called on the government, aid organisations and the travel industry to launch a co-ordinated review of the reconstruction and relief programme.

Director Patricia Barnett said: “British donors gave a staggering £400 million to help those affected by the tsunami rebuild their lives and yet people are still living in relief camps, unable to move back to their land.

“It’s crucial that these people are given the chance to start building a proper sustainable future for themselves.”

Among the key findings, which followed research between May and September, were the ruthless exploitation of villagers by developers, local people being ignored over reconstruction plans and the development of luxury tourism at the expense of sustainable tourism that will benefit local people.

One such project has seen a luxury $80 million development planned for the fishing village of Arugam Bay on Sri Lanka’s east coast.

Guesthouse owner M H A Raheem, quoted in the report, said: “Arugam Bay is about simple tourism, mainly for surfers,” he said. “We don’t want mass tourism with luxury hotels. We would rather promote community-based tourism.”

Report by Steve Jones

Phil Davies

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