Tourism to earn US$ 3 billion by 2016

Four years after the 30-year anti-terrorist war, tourism has become one of Sri Lanka’s biggest foreign exchange-earners with average annual revenue of US$ 1 billion at present. The number of tourist arrivals last year was 1,005,605 while in January this year 97,411 tourists visited the country. The country is expected to earn an annual income of 3 billion US dollars by 2016. The Government has set a target of attracting 2.5 million high spending tourists by that year.

In keeping with this trend Sri Lanka’s tourism authorities launched a three-day Mega promotional campaign named “Get Sri Lanken’ed” which kicked off in style in Mumbai on Friday followed by a high profile media conference held in Taj Lands End Hotel—Salcette,  Mumbai. The press conference was the first of series of events lined up under the “Get SriLankan’ed” promotional campaign of Sri Lanka Tourism, implemented with the aim of positioning Sri Lanka as a most sought after travel destination in emerging markets of the world. In 2010 Sri Lanka was ranked at the first position in the ‘31 Places to go in 2010’ published by the New York.

The campaign - “Get Sri Lanken’ed” – was initiated on President Mahinda Rajapaksa’s advice in accordance with the ‘Mahinda Chinthana’ Vision. The objective of developing a sustainable Sri Lankan tourism industry inspired this campaign organised jointly by the Public and Private sectors.

During the press conference held in this connection over 120 high profile media from the leading publications and broadcasters in the Indian media were briefed on the promotional campaign’s objectives and the nature of events scheduled. The events which began on Friday will continue in Mumbai till 20 May. The event was graced with the traditional Sri Lankan dance performances of the Western Province Dance Group which captured everyone’s attention during the event.

Addressing the gathering Economic Development Deputy Minister Muthu Sivalingam noted that India and Sri Lanka have many similarities as Asian Nations and the long standing relationship they have as close neighbours creates immense opportunities for both countries to share common interests, values and develop socio-economic ties with each other.

Sri Lanka Tourism Chairman Bhashwara Gunarathna explained the rationale behind launching “Get Sri Lanken’ed” campaign in India and how Sri Lanka Tourism plans to achieve maximum influx of Indian tourists from Indian market. He said Sri Lanka’s target is to attract 400,000 Indian tourists by year 2016 thus helping to reach the goal of 2.5 million arrivals by year 2016.   Gunaratna also thanked President Mahinda Rajapaksa and Minister of Economic Development Basil Rajapaksa for the continuous guidance provided to carry out promotional campaigns of this nature to develop the travel and tourism industry of Sri Lanka.