• Cumulative arrivals near 550,000 mark
• India remains top source market followed by Russia, UK, Australia, Germany

Sri Lanka has welcomed over 22,200 tourists during the first eight days of the month, propelling the cumulative figure to 546,686.

India continues to grow reflecting 28% or 6,348, followed by Russia with 9% or 1,920, the United Kingdom with 7% or 1,659, Australia with 5% or 1,155 and Germany with 5% or 1,108.

In addition, tourists were also received from China, Canada, the US, Maldives and France, the provisional data released by the Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority showed. 

Russia remains strong as the top tourist source market for Sri Lanka YTD with a cumulative number of arrivals at 124,227 or 19% followed by India with 95,711 or 18% UK with 44,500 or 8% Germany with 41,215 or 8% and France with 25,291 or 5%.

Tourist arrivals to Sri Lanka in May exceeded its target despite it being a traditionally low month. Generally, May to October are considered off-season.

Industry analysts said regardless of global constraints and uncertainties, the strong tourism rebound is likely to continue well into 2023.

Tourism accounts for close to 5% of Sri Lanka’s economy. The industry is hopeful of achieving its upwardly revised target of two million visitors and an income of over $ 3 billion in 2023.

Sydney Morning Herald’s Traveller magazine adorns Sri Lanka on cover