Cyclone Ditwah Threatens Tourism Revenue: Swift Action Critical

Sri Lanka’s tourism industry, a key pillar of national revenue, faces serious disruption after Cyclone Ditwah, highlighting vulnerabilities in infrastructure, supply chains, and disaster preparedness.

While The Hotels Association of Sri Lanka (THASL) reports that roughly 75% of hotels remain operational, critical tourism hubs in Kandy and the Cultural Triangle continue to struggle with power outages, water shortages, and limited communications, directly threatening revenue generation.

Colombo, the southern coast, and Pasikudah have largely escaped major damage, while access roads to Nuwara Eliya are only now being cleared for light vehicles. Wildlife parks in Yala, Kumana, and Wilpattu have reopened gradually, yet full recovery depends on the rapid restoration of utilities and transport infrastructure.

THASL President Asoka Hettigoda stressed that immediate recovery must prioritize registered establishments contributing directly to government revenue, rather than unregulated operators.

The association has called for urgent measures, including temporary vegetable imports to address critical shortages, fast-tracked visa-free access for 47 countries, and expedited insurance claims to enable rapid hotel repairs.

The government has taken preliminary steps, granting free visa extensions to stranded tourists and waiving airline fees for cancellations and rescheduling. However, industry leaders warn that without swift financial and operational support including bank concessions and donor funding the long-term economic impact could be severe. Hettigoda proposed a Tourism Donor Conference to raise funds for infrastructure rehabilitation, including rail upgrades and revitalization of key tourist sites such as the Nine Arches Bridge.

Despite the challenges, tourism arrivals continue to show signs of resilience. Sri Lanka recorded 2.1 million arrivals in the first 11 months of 2025, with November seeing 212,906 visitors a 16% year-on-year increase and the highest November tally in five years. Yet these numbers fall short of government projections, underscoring the need for immediate interventions to protect foreign exchange earnings and the livelihoods of thousands dependent on tourism.

Experts warn that even a short-term disruption in this sector could trigger cascading economic effects, given the industry’s contribution to employment, local businesses, and national revenue. With the cyclone exposing gaps in disaster readiness, policymakers face mounting pressure to implement strategic measures that combine immediate relief with long-term resilience planning