Sri Lanka drew over 950,000 tourists so far in 2023

Thursday, 14 September 2023 03:14 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

First 12 days of September attract 46,308 tourists, pushing YTD figure to 950,626
India remains top source market followed by UK, Germany, Russia and Australia

Tourism industry’s resurgence continues with the country welcoming over 950,000 visitors year-to-date (YTD), marking a significant milestone after a three-year hiatus.

During the first 12 days of September, Sri Lanka received 46,308 tourists, propelling the cumulative figure to an impressive 950,626.

For 2023, Sri Lanka Tourism has set an ambitious goal of over 1.55 million visitors. The authorities anticipate 73,893 more arrivals during the following two weeks to meet the monthly target of 120,201 tourists.

India continues to be the strongest source market for Sri Lanka, both for the YTD figures and September arrivals. In the first 12 days of September, a total of 12,252 tourists arrived from India, while visitors were also recorded from the UK, Germany, Russia, and Australia.

This resurgence is a testament to Sri Lanka’s enduring appeal as a tourist destination and its successful efforts in revitalising the tourism sector after multiple setbacks experienced since 2019 for three consecutive years.

As the numbers continue to climb, Sri Lanka looks forward to a promising future in the tourism industry, strengthening its position as a sought-after travel destination in the world.

Tourism earnings in the first eight months of 2023 were over $ 1.3 billion, reflecting a 56.7% increase from the corresponding period of last year, whilst August earnings stood at $ 210.5 million, the latest Central Bank data released showed.

Earlier, this month Sri Lanka Tourism Promotion Bureau (SLTPB) rolled out its most comprehensive global campaign in over a decade, with an ambitious two-phased strategy aimed at transforming the perception of the country and positioning it as a premier travel destination.

The goal of the short-term global campaign is to revive the tourism industry and promote Sri Lanka as a must-visit destination for first-time and seasoned visitors.