- Sri Lanka welcomes 77,552 globetrotters in first 15 days, pushing YTD arrivals to 845,465
- August sees daily average rise to 5,170 from 4,614 in July
- SLTDA Chief Prianta Fernando says high occupancy rate countrywide
- India, UK and China respectively emerge as top source markets for August thus far
Tourist arrivals are averaging an improved 5,170 per day this month as against 4,614 in July, driven by Indian travellers.
Sri Lanka has welcomed 77,552 tourists during the first 15 days of the month, comprising 35,775 during the first week and 41,777 in the balance eight days, pushing the cumulative figure to date to 845,465 paving a good start for the winter season which continues till the end of April 2024.
‘High occupancy is reported across the island, with only a few rooms left for the upcoming weekend in Yala, Kirinda, and Tissa. Kandy shows high occupancy for late August and early September,” Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority Chairman Priantha Fernando told the Daily FT.
He also noted that an advertisement will run soon, seeking temporary registration for home stay accommodations during early September to cater to the rising numbers ahead of the Asia Cup Cricket Tournament and winter season.
India emerged as the top source market, reflecting 19% or 15,133 of total arrivals during the first 15 days, followed by the UK with 13% or 9,852, China with 7% or 5,491, Germany with 6% or 4,810 and France with 6% or 4,370.
India remains strong as the top tourist source market for Sri Lanka YTD with a cumulative number of arrivals at 154,787, followed by Russia with 121,956, UK with 78,156, Germany with 58,020, France with 39,390, China with 35,415, Australia with 34,934, Canada with 30,801, US with 27,736, and Maldives with 21,595, the provisional data by the Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority (SLTDA) showed.
Tourism industry experts said the resumption of multiple direct international airlines with increased frequencies, focused marketing efforts and global media spotlight were the key reasons for the favourable pick-up arrival figures.
As per data released by the Central Bank, earnings from the tourism sector crossed the $ 1 billion mark in July, recording the highest monthly income post-COVID.
From January to July earnings from tourism amounted to a total of $ 1.09 billion, reflecting a 43% increase from the corresponding period of last year.
The crossing of the $ 1 billion mark follows July earnings amounting to $ 219 million up from $ 158.4 million in June this year. In July last year, earnings amounted to $ 85 million.
Building on the positive momentum, Sri Lanka Tourism has expressed confidence in the industry’s potential to welcome two million arrivals and generate $ 3.7 billion in income this year. Looking ahead, the country has set ambitious goals of increasing arrivals to 5 million and generating an impressive $ 21.6 billion in revenue by 2030
