Sri Lanka's tourism development activity: from ally to threat
Once again, the conversation focuses on the uncontrolled and often illegal construction in tourist destinations. At what point does tourism activity turn from an ally of development into a threat? The dilemma is well-known, and the answer is neither simple nor easy.
Sri Lanka is constantly named as one of the best countries for traveling, a title the country owes largely to its burgeoning tourism industry. With it comes the inevitable opportunity for many to exploit – by fair or foul means! Everyone is pushing for their own benefit…the powerful with greater efficiency.
Last week, the Daily Mirror reported that the department of Coast Conservation and Coastal Resource Management (CCCRM) had recently demolished at least 22 unauthorized structures, including several beachside restaurants and cafés, along the Ahangama beach strip. The commentary went on to state that the department had identified more than 2,500 illegal constructions across Sri Lanka’s coastal zone.
According to the Director of the CCCRM the process of removing unauthorized structures had already begun. But that’s going to pose enormous challenges and may take years to knock down. Why? Extricating itself from the situation will be a long drawn process.
Over the past two decades and particularly since the tsunami in 2004, weak or passive local enforcement and bureaucratic apathy, have systematically led a large wave of uncontrolled and illegal hotel and restaurant construction in popular island outposts and beyond. Despite limits and criteria been clearly laid-down, the failure to apply these limits, including the lack of structural safety inspections, rapidly unchecked expansions, have not only damaged coastal zones and local natural environments, but also pose high risks to visitors.
Furthermore, Illegal income arises from illegal activities. It is an act which the law disapproves of, or completely bans, particularly where normal income-producing activities become illegal because of non-compliance with operational and fiscal licensing requirements and / or acting in contravention of a ban instituted by law.
How will the country be able, on the one hand, to ensure collecting the significant, and largely necessary, inflow of foreign exchange from the most efficient tourism possible, without, on the other hand, harming or altering its natural beauty?
The equation is obviously complex, with conflicting interests and priorities. But with time not being an ally, we do not have the luxury as a country that is dependent on tourism, to not seek, and ultimately find, the ideal balance.
Contrary to what we may think, the economic impact of tourism doesn’t’ really depend on the number of tourists who arrive at a country. It all depends on the way the industry is structured and the daily decisions travellers make about where and how they spend their money.
Many tourism hot-spots are already facing pressure on infrastructure. Tourist demand overloads local water, sanitation, and transport systems. These costs fall on residents, not visitors.
The protection of nature, local lifestyle and traditions, as well as infrastructure, is also of great importance. The provision of a quality tourist product brings income to the country, but what is the ideal balance between economic benefit and the protection of local communities? There sometimes comes the point where cultural practices begin to be treated as tourism products managed by people outside the community – at which stage the community loses both economic and cultural control.
While the government wrestles with how best to regulate, the stacks are high for the island’s tourist destinations. Because as tourist numbers increase, the number of new hotels, both registered and unregistered, that enter the market, naturally follows suit.
Tough decisions will be required to avert disaster, and some politically brave people will be required to implement them.
Shafeek Wahab - Editor, Hospitality Sri Lanka, Consultant, Trainer, Motivational Speaker, Mystery Guest Auditor, Ex-Hotelier
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