A group of tourists pose for a jubilant picture with the iconic Nine Arches Bridge at Ella in the background - Pix by Nisal Baduge

Tourists take a stroll along the rail track at the iconic Nine Arches Bridge at Ella

• 73,314 tourists visit in first 26 days of December; highest since April
• Russia emerges as second biggest source market YTD relegating UK to number three
• Tourism Minister Harin Fernando says SL will receive around 720,000 in 2022 marginally lower from revised target of 750,000; tourism earnings estimated to be $ 1.7 b
• Expresses confidence in tourism leapfrogging to growth from 2023 banking on positive bookings for Jan. to Feb. 
• Commends resilience of tourism stakeholders; terms recent rebound in tourism as an amazing response by international holiday travellers
• Industry experts assert continuous support is critical to achieve 1.5 m arrivals and $ 5 b earnings target in 2023

By Charumini de Silva

Tourism Minister Harin Fernando

Tourist arrivals to Sri Lanka crossed the 700,000 mark with 73,314 visitors during the first 26 days of the month.

The number of tourists received during the month is the fourth highest in the year so far and the biggest monthly figure since April as well. The best arrivals for the year were recorded in March with 106,500 tourists, followed by February with 96,507 and January with 82,327. 

As per provisional data released by the Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority (SLTDA) yesterday, a total of 701,331 visitors arrived in the country so far. 

It also showed that the daily average arrivals have slightly picked up by 42% to 2,820 in December, compared to 1,992 recorded in November. 

The boost in December arrivals was largely influenced by the influx of Russian tourists. 

During the first 26 days of December Russia topped the tourist inflow reflecting 21% or 15,681, followed by India with 13,892, UK with 6,510 Australia with 4,254, and Germany with 3,797. In addition, travellers from the US, Maldives, France, Canada, and Israel were welcomed in Sri Lanka. 

The arrival of the luxury cruise liners ─ Azamara Quest, Ocean Odyssey and Silver Spirit as well as the resumption of many international airlines and charter flights, the global promotions at the ITM Paris, India and WTM were the key reasons for the favourable pick-up arrival figures.

“As per our latest revised target, we were looking at around 750,000 tourists by the end of the year, but I think we will end up with 720,000, which I believe is still an amazing achievement,” Tourism Minister Harin Fernando told the Daily FT.

Although the industry originally set a higher target for arrivals this year at one million, the Tourism Minister opined that it will be around 750,000 though expressing confidence in achieving the target income of $ 1.7 billion by end of 2022.

Despite the multiple challenges the country encountered, the tourism industry looks to be in high season, Minister Fernando said. 

“The Government together with the private sector are ramping up efforts to make the best during this winter season and boost foreign exchange inflows to overcome the economic woes,” he added.

Russia also emerged as the second biggest source market year-to-date relegating the UK to number three. There had been 86,990 tourists from the Russian Federation. Giving a further boost Red Wings, a national carrier of the Russian Federation, will start charter flight operations to Sri Lanka’s Mattala International Airport twice per week with effect from today. It will be the third Russian airline serving direct flights to Sri Lanka according to the Sri Lanka Embassy in Moscow.

India remained strong as the top tourist source market for Sri Lanka YTD with a cumulative number of arrivals at 119,546. UK was third with 83,818, Germany with 54,355, France with 35,011, Australia with 30,020, Canada with 26,343, US 21,662, Maldives 17,954 and Poland 15,062.

Minister Fernando said he was glad to make a positive impact during a short timeline. 

“Over the last three months, tourism has picked up in Sri Lanka. The arrival figures and the foreign exchange earnings reflect the amazing responses we as a country have received during this short time,” he added.

Industry veterans expressed optimism about early indications of a successful winter season, whilst asserting that it was imperative to maintain the current momentum to achieve the set target of 1.5 million arrivals and over $ 5 billion in income next year.

Noting that it is easy to criticise, the industry veterans said it is crucial to reposition Sri Lanka as a destination and build confidence around it to attract international travellers. 

Tourism earnings in the first eleven months were at $ 1.12 billion reflecting a 313% increase from the corresponding period of last year impacted by COVID-19.

In November, tourism earnings were estimated at $ 107.5 million, compared to $ 115.4 million in the same period a year earlier.

Sri Lanka lost over $ 10 billion in foreign exchange earnings, which generate over $ 4.3 billion annually, due to the pandemic during the past two years.

 

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