Dr Dietmar Doering, the head of the Asian-German Sports Exchange Program (AGSEP), has claimed that negative travel advisories issued about Sri Lanka have given a false impression to Germans who were interested in investing in the country. Some of the travel advisories suggested that there were unsafe travel conditions and disruptions to supply chains due to the “Aragalaya” protests that occurred last year.
Dr Doering, who has been living in Sri Lanka for over 40 years, explained that he had not experienced any shortages or unsafe travel conditions during the pandemic Aragalaya protest season. He added that Sri Lanka had received 2.3 million tourist arrivals from 1970 to 2018, whereas Vietnam had 18 million tourist arrivals in 2018 alone.
Dr Doering further mentioned that if Sri Lanka could attract nine million tourists, each staying for 10 days and spending over $280 per day, it would not need to rely on the International Monetary Fund and could maintain its foreign reserves.
These remarks were made at a meeting held with the participation of German investors who were interested in investing in Sri Lanka. Dr Doering explained that there were immense opportunities in the country for investment, and the negative travel advisories were discouraging potential investors from considering Sri Lanka as a viable option.
Dr Doering’s statements have been welcomed by the Sri Lankan government and industry stakeholders, who have been struggling to attract foreign investment in recent years. Despite the country’s immense potential, negative perceptions about the safety and stability of the country have hindered its growth.
The Sri Lankan government has made significant efforts to address these concerns, including implementing new security measures and improving infrastructure. However, the negative travel advisories issued by foreign governments have continued to impact the country’s image.
Dr Doering’s comments are expected to bring renewed attention to the opportunities that Sri Lanka has to offer, particularly in the tourism and manufacturing sectors. His long-standing experience in the country and knowledge of its potential make him a credible source of information for foreign investors looking to explore opportunities in Sri Lanka.
