Hikkaduwa hoteliers cry out for bailout package
By Leon Berenger
The tourist industry in the southern coastal belt of Hikkaduwa is heading for a crisis and cash-strapped hoteliers are begging the government for an urgent bailout with many being unable to meet even the staff salaries as business has hit an all-time low during this usual peak season.
Around this time in the past years there was at least 80 to 85 per cent occupancy in the hotels, but this season we are experiencing something like 25 per cent or even less , Hikkaduwa Hoteliers Association president Siri Gunawardene told The Sunday Times. December is always considered the peak period for arrivals, also known as the Winter Packages for tourist arrivals mainly from Western Europe and Scandinavian countries. But this time we have to depend on the trickle of locals just to keep our lights burning, he said.
-sundaytimes.lk
MAHINDA CHINTHANAYATA JAYAWEWA.
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