Russia leads as the top source market, with 22,038 tourists or 21 pc of total arrivals from March 1-26, followed by 15,695 visitors from India (Photo: Varsha Singh/ India Outbound)
Sri Lanka has reported that for the third consecutive month since the beginning of the current year, the monthly tourist arrivals have exceeded 100,000, putting the country on a firm start to the year when it expects to receive over 1.55 million international tourists.
According to news reports, in the first 26 days of March a total of 105,714 tourists arrived in the country, taking the total figure since January 1 to 315,898. Already, the growth in the first quarter of the year is 10.7 pc, compared to the same period in 2022, though it is 55 pc lower than the first quarter of 2018, when Sri Lanka had received the highest number of international tourists.
Russia leads as the top source market, with 22,038 tourists or 21 pc of total arrivals from March 1-26, followed by 15,695 visitors from India, giving it about 15 pc share and the United Kingdom was the third biggest source market, with 8,555, or 8 pc, says the data released by the Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority yesterday noted.
“Sri Lanka’s tourism industry has made a strong comeback in 2023 after a series of major setbacks from 2019. The respect and tribute of it should go to all stakeholders of the industry for all their dynamic and steadfast commitment to overcoming the challenges. I salute their dedication and efforts,” Sri Lanka’s Tourism Minister Harin Fernando told local newspapers.
Fernando was quoted as saying that the National Tourism Policy blueprint would also be implemented soon to set out consistent policies and standards to boost Sri Lanka’s tourism industry to its next stage of growth in 2024.
“We are excited about 2023, as plans are underway to make Sri Lanka a year-round destination,” the Minister is reported to have said.
Tourism accounts for close to 5 pc of Sri Lanka’s economy. The country has set a target of receiving 1.55 million visitors, with international tourism receipts exceeding USD 2.88 billion in 2023.
To ensure the growth to continue strongly, Sri Lanka Tourism says it will focus on nine key markets, notably India, Russia, China, the UK, France, Germany, the Middle East, and Nordic countries. The MICE tourism segment is earmarked as a key segment Sri Lanka looks to explore this year to push the numbers and earnings. Sri Lanka is also hoping to receive a large number of visitors from China as the country recently reopened its borders after three years.
