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| Tourism Minister Harin Fernando |
Sri Lanka›s tourism industry continues to thrive as arrivals have exceeded 600,000, showcasing the resilience and appeal of the country as a travel destination.
Despite being the off-peak season, the daily average of tourist arrivals has shown remarkable improvement, exceeding 3,200 visitors. This upward trend in tourist footfall further underscores the growing interest in Sri Lanka as a preferred destination among global travellers.
During the first 26 days of the month, 84,003 visitors have arrived in the country, with only 3,518 arrivals required to achieve the monthly target of 87,521.
“The surpassing of the 600,000 tourist arrival milestone signifies the resilience of Sri Lanka›s tourism sector and its ability to bounce back from the challenges faced in recent years. It is a testament to the concerted efforts made to revitalize the industry, showcasing Sri Lanka›s immense potential as a top travel destination,” Tourism Minister Harin Fernando told the Daily FT.
India takes the lead with 22,388 tourist arrivals or 28% of total visitors so far, followed by Russia with 7,179 tourists (9%), the UK with 6,597 tourists (8%), Australia with 5,444 guests (6%), Germany with 4,341 tourists (5%) and China with 4,240 (5%).
According to the recently released provincial data by the Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority (SLTDA), tourists were from other countries like Canada, the Maldives, the United States, and France,
He said the sustained growth in tourist arrivals reflects the successful efforts made by Sri Lanka Tourism in attracting visitors from around the world. The collaborative initiatives between tourism authorities, hoteliers, and other stakeholders have played a crucial role in promoting the country›s unique attractions and ensuring a memorable experience for travellers.
“This diverse mix of international visitors highlights the global appeal of Sri Lanka›s rich cultural heritage, scenic beauty, and warm hospitality,” Fernando added.
With the positive momentum in tourist arrivals, Sri Lanka Tourism earlier this week expressed confidence in the industry’s potential to welcome two million arrivals and generate $ 3.7 billion in income this year, whilst setting its sights on increasing arrivals to 5 million and earning an impressive $ 21.6 billion by 2030.
