THE FEDERATION of Tour Operators has warned holidays to
Tsunami-affected parts of Sri Lanka could be ruled out until the
end of the winter season in April.
To date, the FTO has allowed customers to change or cancel
bookings in affected regions until January 31, but following a
conference call yesterday between the FTO, its member operators and
ABTA it has now issued new advice ruling out trips to areas along
the eastern and southern coasts and the south-western coast south
of Kalutara.
The FTO said its members have cancelled all departures to
affected Sri Lankan regions until February 28, 2005. Some charters
have also been cancelled up until March 31. Holidays to unaffected
regions of Sri Lanka are continuing as normal.
Advice for the Maldives still allows no penalty cancellations or
changes until January 31, but clients must inform operators by
January 15.
Thailand also still continues with a January 31 deadline, but
said dates would be kept under review on parts of Phuket.