I had never been to Sri Lanka and wasn’t entirely sure what to expect. I thought of it as a very poor country and that poverty would be very visible. I wasn’t too worried about disturbances by the rebel Tamil Tigers – everywhere has its troubles – you can’t let it put you off. I have not sold many holidays to Sri Lanka. I found the main concern from most clients was that it was a Third World country that didn’t have the level of infrastructure they are used to.
Sri Lanka has left an extremely favourable impression on me. Although it is a poor country the people are very friendly. The hotels are of a good standard, although some of the star ratings are a little on the generous side, so I recommend going for the higher rated ones. The beaches are not all suitable for swimming and I think it would be slightly disappointing if it is sold only as a beach destination. I recommend touring around the island because there is so much to see.
I went to India about 10 years ago, and I imagined Sri Lanka would be similar – hot, smelly, dry and dusty but very beautiful. I was quite concerned about the activities of the Tamil Tigers but felt an escorted tour would help ensure our safety. I have not sold any holidays to the island because people tend to think that it is unsafe. Those clients who are interested in travelling to Sri Lanka seem to think of it purely as a beach destination such as Goa. I suppose I thought of it in that way too.
Sri Lanka is a really friendly place, the people are helpful and although it’s a little unnerving seeing check-point guards armed with machine guns, you soon realise this is to ensure your security. There is much more to the island than its beaches. The countryside is very beautiful – there are so many contrasting landscapes, such as tea plantations, paddy fields, jungles and mountains. They call the lush and tropical mountains ‘little England’ because they are so damp. I recommend it now but it will take time for people to dismiss the image of Sri Lanka as unsafe.
I had not been to Sri Lanka or India before and I wasn’t really sure what to expect. Iwas a bit concerned about what the food would be like. I knew Sri Lanka was very reasonably priced and had a vague idea that it would be a good place for a beach holiday. I have sold a few holidays there and knew it was quite a poor country. I thought that because the people were poor, they would be very miserable and that this might be a bit depressing.
Sri Lanka is out of this world. You have to be prepared for a bit of a culture shock – it’s quite different from many destinations. The culture and history are fascinating and local guides can really bring the sights to life. The extremes of climate are amazing – one minute you are sweating your socks off, the next you are freezing – you have to experience that to believe it. The security measures can be a little unsettling but I found them reassuring. The food was excellent – very cheap and with plenty of choice.