Sri Lanka targets 150,000 German tourists

Tourism Development Minister John Amaratunga greets Germany’s Federal Minister for Economic Affairs and Energy Brigitte Zypries on the sidelines of the ongoing ITB in Berlin yesterday

Sri Lanka is targeting 150,000 German tourists this year as strong growth continues with a 15% increase registered in 2016, Tourism Minister John Amaratunga said on Thursday.

Sri Lanka’s impressive tourism growth was discussed during a meeting between Tourism Development Minister John Amaratunga and the Federal Minister for Economic Affairs and Energy Brigitte Zypries on the sidelines of the ongoing ITB in Berlin. Zypries is also the Minister of Tourism in Germany.

Minister Amaratunga thanked the German government for supporting tourism development in Sri Lanka, the Ministry said in a statement. The Minister noted that Sri Lanka received 134,275 German tourists last year indicating a growth of 15% compared to the previous year. He said that ITB will be used as a stepping stone to carry out an aggressive tourism promotion campaign in Germany this year.

It was further revealed during the discussions that Sri Lanka Tourism has already embarked on a promotional campaign focusing on different regions in Germany. Minister Amaratunga told the German Minister that Sri Lanka was proud to have partnered with ITB from its inception.

Federal Minister for Economic Affairs and Energy Brigitte Zypries assured Minister Amaratunga that Germany will extend its fullest co-operation to develop Sri Lanka’s tourism industry since the country is now considered one of the safest destinations for European travelers.

“German travelers are always talking about the warm hospitality and friendliness of the Sri Lankan people. They are very eager to return to the country over and over again,” said Minister Zypries.

A large contingent of Sri Lanka’s tourism industry stakeholders are participating at this year’s ITB which is considered the biggest travel fair in the world.