Tourist arrivals exceed 100,000

Tourist arrivals to Sri Lanka have exceeded 100,000 since the reopening of borders on 21 January. 

With 41,177 tourists recorded from 1 to 28 November, the cumulative arrival figure for the year so far is 101,872, the Tourism Ministry said.

Quoting statistics from the Tourism Development Authority of Sri Lanka (SLTDA), the Ministry said during the past 28 days the highest number of tourist arrivals was from India, accounting for 13,368.

In addition, tourists have also arrived from Russia, the UK, Pakistan, Germany, the Maldives, France, the US, Canada and Australia.

Under the direction of Tourism Minister Prasanna Ranatunga, the Sri Lanka Tourism Promotion Bureau (SLTPB) since mid-this year rolled out promotions in several countries, including Russia, France, Germany and the UK. The inflow of tourists has been boosted by increased connectivity as well by international airlines.

National carrier SriLankan Airlines launched direct flights to Russia and France after a lapse of six years and France flag carrier Air France after a lapse of 30 years while Russia’s Aeroflot commenced direct flights to Colombo earlier this month. 

Minister Ranatunga said eased travel restrictions, expanded air connectivity and promotional activities helped to attract tourists from those countries to Sri Lanka within a short span of time

The SLTDA predicts between 150,000 and 180,000 tourists will arrive by the end of this year.

Ranatunga expressed confidence that the tourism industry would gradually recover by next year.