• Pushes cumulative figure to 467,480
• Winter season saw heightened activity, surpassing total tourist arrivals of 335,679 registered in 1Q of 2023 within first two months of 2024
• Russia, India, Germany emerge as top source markets so far
• India remains top tourist source market YTD, arrivals exceed 70,000 
• Anticipates consistent arrival trend beyond peak season followed by targeted promotions, improved connectivity
• Sri Lanka Tourism gears up for its first multi-city roadshow in Australia next week to attract travellers during shoulder period

Sri Lanka Tourism has welcomed over 40,000 tourists in the first six days of the month, pushing the cumulative figure to 467,480.

Industry analysts pointed out that they had a busy winter season. Sri Lanka registered a total of 335,679 tourists at the end of the first three months of 2023 and the performance was outdone within the first two months with the 426,703 arrivals of this year.

Russia leads the arrivals during the first six days of the month with 5,800 visitors, followed by India with 5,602, Germany with 4,110 tourists, UK with 3,486 and China with 2,496 arrivals.

 In addition, visitors from France, Australia, US, Netherlands and Poland were also welcomed.

India maintains its position as the top tourist source market for Sri Lanka year-to-date (YTD), with arrivals topping 70,028. It is closely followed by Russia with 68,989, UK with 40,765, Germany with 33,962 and China with 28,843 arrivals.

The industry analysts said they anticipate the arrival numbers to be consistent even after the peak season by the end of the month, with targeted promotions in markets coupled with enhanced connectivity.

They added that arrivals from India are bound to increase by many folds once the ferry services start to boom. Last month, the Cabinet of Ministers approved introducing an affordable travel and transportation fee system, to boost maritime passenger transport between Sri Lanka and India. As per the approved measures, the embarkation tax currently levied on passengers departing Sri Lanka via passenger ferries is reduced from $ 60 to $ 5, whilst the passenger ships will be slashed from $ 60 to $ 20.

With Sri Lanka Tourism all set to conduct its first-ever multi-city roadshow in Australia next week, the industry is poised to receive travellers during the shoulder period. The roadshow will kick off on 19 March in Brisbane, followed by Sydney on 21 March and conclude in Melbourne on 25 March. Over 30 travel and tourism firms have confirmed participation to engage with B2B dialogues.

For 2024, Sri Lanka Tourism has set an ambitious target to welcome 2.3 million tourists and earn over $ 4.5 billion.

Tourism earnings rise to $ 687.5 m in first two months of 2024