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Last Updated : 2024-05-13 17:33:00
18 December 2023 12:16 am - 6 - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}
- Cumulative tourist arrivals reach 1.3mn
Pic by Pradeep Pathirana
Tourist arrivals to Sri Lanka for the first 13 days of December surpassed 73,000, signaling an improved influx of international visitors.
Provisional data from the Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority (SLTDA) showed that during the period from December 1 to 13 Sri Lanka welcomed a total of 73, 590 tourists.
With SLTDA aiming to draw 242, 135 arrivals for December, 30 percent of this target has been fulfilled up to December 13. This brings the cumulative tourist arrivals to the island nation to 1.3 million, realising 87 percent of the target set for 2023.
The SLTDA and the Tourism Ministry have set a target of 1.55 million arrivals for the year 2023, which they are confident of meeting.
The weekly arrival average has improved and reached the level of about 36,000. In the first week of December, Sri Lanka welcomed 38, 046, whereas in the second week (six days) the total arrivals stood at 35, 544.
Accordingly, the daily arrival average for the month of December so far is 5,660.
India continues to retain its position as the largest source market for Sri Lanka tourism, bringing in 20 percent of the total tourism arrivals for the month so far.
The Russian Federation, ranking second, accounted for 14 percent of the total arrivals, while the United Kingdom, the third largest tourist traffic generator, contributed to 10 percent of total arrivals.
Other key markets include Germany, China, Australia, France, Canada, and the United States.
Jude Monday, 18 December 2023 09:53 AM
The Diaspora coming home for Christmas, not tourist!!
B P Monday, 18 December 2023 10:01 AM
What is the income from them and profit over expenditure?
Tourist Monday, 18 December 2023 11:44 AM
That is the only thing Sri Lankans are thinking about. A very clear reflection of your "hospitality". Treating tourists as ATM.
Sokrates Monday, 18 December 2023 10:30 AM
If only there weren't so many unqualified people and so many cheaters working in the tourism business, it could be a ray of hope.
Migrant View Monday, 18 December 2023 02:16 PM
How do you define a "tourist"? These 73000 are Sri Lankan migrants visiting family for Christmas. Many on Qatar Airways, Emirates etc., not only SriLankan Airlines which loses a chunk of that potential revenue. They don't shop in Sri Lanka since they have done their shopping in their respective home countries before coming as they say shopping in SL is expensive and poor quality. These "tourists" stay with their relatives so they don't book hotels so the hotels make money primarily off locals, not "tourists". If the visitors travel within the island they will not be spending much either again because they are not interested in low quality clothes, or same old handicrafts. Giving a head count of "tourists" mean nothing. It is time to find other things to boast about.
Dee Tuesday, 19 December 2023 07:08 AM
The above comments are living proof as to the literacy rate of our people remaining in the country! Sad. Highly educated but no upstairs!
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