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Tourist arrivals are averaging an improved 2,400 per day this month as against 1,800 in November, driven by Russian travellers.
Sri Lanka has welcomed 39,025 tourists during the first 16 days of the month, comprising 16,169 during the first week, 16,418 in the second week and 6,438 the balance two days, the provisional data by the Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority (SLTDA) showed.
The first 16-day arrivals have also pushed the cumulative figure to date to 667,042, paving a good kick-start for the winter season which continues till the end of April 2023. Russia emerged as the top source market, reflecting 22% or 8,524 of total arrivals during the first 16 days, followed by India with 18% or 6,927, the United Kingdom with 9% or 3,630, Australia with 6% or 2,541 and Germany with 5% or 1,786.
India remains strong as the top tourist source market for Sri Lanka YTD with a cumulative number of arrivals at 112,581, followed by the UK with 80,938, Russia with 79,833, Germany with 52,344, France with 33,908, Australia with 28,307, Canada with 25,543, US 20,135, Maldives 16,619 and Poland 14,859.
Tourism industry experts said the resumption of many new international airlines and charter flights in the first two weeks of the month as well as the global promotions at the ITM Paris, Indian and WTM were the key reasons for the favourable pick-up arrival figures.
As per data released by the Central Bank, earnings from the tourism sector crossed the $ 1 billion mark in October.
From January to November earnings from tourism amounted to a total of $ 1.12 billion reflecting a 313% increase from the corresponding period of last year impacted by COVID-19.
The crossing of the $ 1 billion mark follows November earnings amounting to $ 107.5 million up from $ 75.6 million in October this year. In November last year earnings amounted to $ 115.4 million.
