Welcome to In Crisis – Travel Retail Voices, our new podcast series where we speak to travel retail executives around the world to see how they and their businesses are coping with the COVID-19 crisis.
Today’s episode features industry veteran and ‘the father of inflight retail’, King Power Traveler President Rakhita Jayawardena.
Sri Lanka is, of course, no stranger to crises that impact tourism; having dealt with the devastating impact of war, a tsunami, and terrorism in recent years.
Rakhita applauds the efforts of the government and the country’s medical services but says of the devastation being wreaked on his country: “The tourism authority has never seen a crisis like this before. I think this is the worst.”
However, in an upbeat conclusion, he adds: “In Sri Lanka over the years we have been the subject of many challenges…. our resilience is very strong.”
Previously on In Crisis – Travel Retail Voices
24 March: King Power Group (Hong Kong) Group Chief Executive Officer Sunil Tuli
[Click on the image to hear Sunil Tuli’s interview with Martin Moodie]
22 March: The Moodie Davitt Report Founder & Chairman Martin Moodie
[Click on the icon to hear In Crisis – Travel Retail Voices, Martin Moodie]
21 March: China Duty Free Group President Charles Chen
[Click on the icon to hear Charles Chen’s interview with Martin Moodie]
20 March: Dubai Duty Free Executive Vice Chairman & CEO Colm McLoughlin
[Click on the icon to hear Colm McLoughlin’s interview with Martin Moodie]
