Sri Lanka Institute of Hospitality Celebrates Phenomenal Growth and First Anniversary of Peace

Sri Lanka recently celebrated its first year of peace after a 37-year civil war. The resilience of those working in the hospitality industry has shone through this dark and troubled period, and the Sri Lanka branch of the Institute of Hospitality has recorded phenomenal growth, increasing from just 15 members in 1992 to nearly 100 members today.

The Sri Lanka Institute held its annual general meeting on 13 May and Roahsan Perera, general manager of the The Blue Water Hotel, Wadduwa, was elected chairman for the year 2010-11.

“We will organise regional seminars and training programmes through our regional representatives and with the assistance of the Regional Hoteliers Association. We also plan to conduct career guidance programmes in schools in order to attract youth to join hotels.  The work planned is immense and what we need today is only to implement the plan,” he said.

“At a time when the global hospitality industry continues to require sound management and leadership skills, I am delighted that the Sri Lanka Branch is playing such a key role in nurturing these talents in order to develop and sustain the full potential for growth which exists in the country,” said Philippe Rossiter, chief executive, Institute of Hospitality.

Tourists are now traveling to the island in greater numbers.  Tourist arrivals were up by 54% this March and 68% in February.  Indians, Germans and Britons are the top three visitors.

Tamil Tiger separatist rebels were defeated in May 2009 ending 37 years of conflict. An estimated 100,000 lives were claimed during the island’s Civil War, according to the United Nations.  The conflict seriously tarnished the island’s image and the 2004 Boxing Day Tsunami dealt a further terrible blow to Sri Lanka’ tourism industry.