ao link

 

step 1
Sam Clark runs Asia specialist Experience Travel Group and believes the FCDO's advice has held Sri Lanka back

What some regard as a lack of consistency and a tendency towards alarmist messaging infuriates operators. Experience Travel Group recorded a big uptick in January this year for Sri Lanka, but Clark adds: “It’s definitely affected sales; 2023 was very disappointing, and there was no reason for that. Even now, we’re way down on 2018.”

 

On the island, there is equal frustration. Henry Fitch, chief executive of Teardrop Hotels, a boutique chain of seven properties, is another who feels advice is over the top.


“When comparing the Sri Lanka travel advisory to those of western nations, there is a much more cautious approach, and the tone paints a starker picture than the reality on the ground,” he tells TTG. “This naturally makes it more difficult for the travel trade to sell Sri Lanka, even though the country is back to normal after the economic difficulties of 2022.


“Since the UK is among the top three nationalities of tourists to Sri Lanka, any negative FCDO advisory has a significant impact on revenue, which has a trickle-down effect to small vendors and communities reliant on tourists.”

 

Neil Dobbs, another signatory to the letter, is director of Travel Gallery and also runs a hotel in the country. He is another critical of the speed at which the FCDO updates its advice. “It still suggests riots are around the corner and there are food shortages,” he says. “I’ve just spent two months there and that’s not the case.”

step 2
'Safety is the main factor when determining our travel advice,' said the FCDO (Credit: iStock)

In response, the FCDO says it draws on sources which include British consulates, local authorities and, in some cases, security services.

 

It declined to comment specifically on Sri Lanka, but a spokesperson told TTG: “The safety of British people is the main factor when determining our travel advice.

 

"Our advice is designed to help British people make informed decisions about foreign travel and remains under constant review to ensure it reflects our latest assessment of risks when travelling abroad.”

 

While the FCDO obviously has access to intelligence sources no one else is privy to, many in travel would argue common sense must also be taken into account.

 

Gary Noakes is TTG's senior contributor and analyst.

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