India biggest tourist generator

11 January 2011 12:30 pm - 29 - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

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Sri Lanka has had the highest number of tourist arrivals last year with Indians topping the list of holiday makers, figures released by the Tourism Ministry said today

Indian tourists visiting Sri Lanka reached 126,882, taking a bigger lead over Britons who numbered 105,496 last year. In 2009 too, Indians were leading, but marginally with 83,634 compared to 81,594 Britons.

The total tourist arrivals of 654.476 in calendar 2010 compared with 447,890 in 2009, marking a 46.1 per cent increase in tourist arrivals.

The ending of nearly 40 years of ethnic conflict in the island in May 2009 has seen a surge in the hospitality industry with prices too soaring to new highs. (PTI)

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Comments - 29

Ross Milan Friday, 14 January 2011 01:03 AM

Indians are traders visiting here and not tourist. who is confusing whom?

Mahesh Wednesday, 12 January 2011 02:15 AM

Most of these Indians are businessman’s, came on tourist visas, to sell their products to Sri Lanka.

Aruna Wednesday, 12 January 2011 01:59 AM

how many must have smuggle stuff out? indian's no good for anybody in SL

neville Wednesday, 12 January 2011 01:36 AM

Yes, they come and stay with friends. and no income for us, why not charge higher fee atleast...

iqi Wednesday, 12 January 2011 01:09 AM

This is going to be short lived as our hotels have jacked up their prices without rhyme or reason.It is cheaper to go to Thailand, Vietnam, or Malaysia on holiday.

tourist Tuesday, 11 January 2011 10:05 PM

......well said...tourist board should aim to attract quality tourists who will spend money..analyse money spent by each group...it will be an eye opener!!

bukadeniya Tuesday, 11 January 2011 09:47 PM

we should respect ,honest and friendly to India and Indian people to promote our tourism and buissness.

Ramzil Tuesday, 11 January 2011 07:38 PM

Unprofitable.

GamBatta Tuesday, 11 January 2011 06:15 PM

We should have some rotis available with irons to heat them up in our hotel rooms for this beggers.

Over the Top Tuesday, 11 January 2011 05:51 PM

Totally agree. I call them shoe string tourist. The local tourist spend more at the resorts.

demon Tuesday, 11 January 2011 05:42 PM

well said...

Chola Dynasty Tuesday, 11 January 2011 05:11 PM

Shows the number of RAW operatives in the country

citizen1 Tuesday, 11 January 2011 04:47 PM

Agree about the rudeness...with the odd exception here and there.

citizen1 Tuesday, 11 January 2011 04:45 PM

Also I've witnessed mistreatment of our vendors by the so called Indian tourists through their sheer arrogance.

Fair N Square Tuesday, 11 January 2011 12:38 PM

LOL nearly 40 yrs??? now that shows the statistics...

samara Tuesday, 11 January 2011 03:59 PM

We want only Indian coconuts,chickens,eggs & Money not Tourists.

We dont need Indians socalled tourists who are nothing but Trouble makers.

saman Tuesday, 11 January 2011 03:56 PM

pls not that india has the world highest population as well (though no proper census ), and ifa , cricket match should not be included !!!

ampare son Tuesday, 11 January 2011 03:11 PM

thats true

Razor Blade Tuesday, 11 January 2011 02:18 PM

We need quality tourists, not the quantity.

Bernard Tuesday, 11 January 2011 02:07 PM

Their rudeness will bring shame to our country. Start the visa
issue now

lankaputha Tuesday, 11 January 2011 01:48 PM

Probably the returning refugees and Indian who came to work on project run by Indians included. If excluded the other might have genereted only 2 % of the total spending of other tourists

ManjulaJ Tuesday, 11 January 2011 01:36 PM

One of my Indian friend came five times on tourist visa, to promote his business in Sri Lanka. Is he a genuine tourist?

Charlie Tuesday, 11 January 2011 01:22 PM

These cheap Indian come to Srilanka to sell saris and earn some money, not to spend money in Srilanka.

Konde bendapu china Tuesday, 11 January 2011 01:18 PM

well for us no matter who ever come as tourist must welcome and give them good reception.times go by we will have our targets archived.

MagodisThuma Tuesday, 11 January 2011 01:12 PM

They visit for the lunch & go back for the dinner !.

KIRI PUTA Tuesday, 11 January 2011 12:49 PM

HIK HIK. IDP Camps wisitor and donators count of last year. not tourists.

Farook Tuesday, 11 January 2011 12:47 PM

Indians don't come and spend. So are the Brits who are very stingy. We should look at Americans who spend lavishly.

lankaman Tuesday, 11 January 2011 12:42 PM

If the numbers are from the on-arrival tourist visas issued at airport, then the govt may find that most of these "tourists" are in fact, not generating revenue for Sri Lanka, but are engaged in menial jobs and do illegal work.

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India biggest tourist generator

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