Embracing the rain: Tourists delight at Galle Face Green
PIC BY PRADEEP PATHIRANA

• September tourist arrivals total 111,938
• September arrival target missed by 7% 
• Cumulative tourist arrivals for Jan.-Sept. total 1,016,256
• India, China and UK rank as largest tourist traffic generators for Sri Lanka
• More Chinese tourists expected this month with ‘Golden Week’ holidays 

Sri Lanka reached the 100,000 tourist arrival mark in September, marking the eighth month of 2023 this milestone was achieved. 

However, with the arrivals totalling 111,938, the island nation managed to realise only 93 percent of the target set for the month of September. 

As per the targets set by the Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority (SLTDA), the aim was to draw at least 120,201 international visitors in September. 

Another key significant milestone realised in September was crossing the one million tourist arrival mark. 
The provisional data released by the SLTDA showed that from January 01 to September 30, Sri Lanka welcomed a total of 1,016,256 tourists. 

This milestone was achieved for the first time since 2019, following a period the island nation grappled with the COVID-19 pandemic and political and economic crises that occurred in 2022. These challenges led to the key source markets issuing travel advisories against visiting Sri Lanka.

The weekly analysis of the tourist arrival numbers for the month of September showed that the arrivals averaged 26,135 in the first three weeks and in the fourth week, they increased to 33,531. 

Accordingly, the daily arrival average for September was 3,731, a 15 percent decrease from the 4,400 recorded in August. 

The largest tourist traffic generator for Sri Lanka in September was India, which contributed to 27 percent (30,063) of the total arrivals.

Ranking in the second place was China, which accounted for 8 percent of the total arrivals (8,445). In comparison, China ranked as the third largest tourist traffic generator for Sri Lanka in August.

Even a higher number of Chinese tourists are expected this month, with the beginning of the Golden Week holidays. 
In the third place was the UK, which contributed to 7 percent of the total tourist arrivals (7,504) for the month. 

The other key markets included Germany, Russia, Australia, Israel, the Netherlands, France and Canada. 
Sri Lanka aims to end the year with 1.55 million international visitors. Last week, SLTDA Chairman Priantha Fernando expressed confidence in Sri Lanka surpassing the year-end target, with the local tourism sector bouncing back from the challenges faced in the recent years.

As of August, this year, Sri Lanka had earned little over US $ 1.3 billion from tourism, compared to US $ 833 million earned for the same period, last year.