Tourist arrivals surpass 200,000 mark but miss monthly target

4 April 2024 03:00 am - 7 - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

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Sri Lanka crossed the 200,000 tourist arrival mark for four consecutive months from December 2023, through March 2024, affirming good times are back for the once hard-hit industry that almost came to a standstill.

Although the monthly tourist arrival rates have almost doubled from what was witnessed in 2023, the monthly arrival targets have not been met as yet this year, both in the upper-case scenario and lower-case scenario.

In the month of January, the lower-case scenario target was missed by 7 percent, whereas the uppercase-scenario target was missed by 14 percent.

In February, the lower-case scenario target was narrowly missed by one percent and the higher scenario by 9 percent. The month of March was no different, since it missed the lower-case and upper-case scenario targets by 5 percent and 12 percent. The setting up of ambitious target is nothing new for Sri Lanka, as for almost all indicators, the relevant authorities have for years set higher than achievable goals. The targets set are almost always revised downwards towards the end of the second quarter of the year. It is unclear, the basis behind which these targets are set.

Nevertheless, the tourism sector is improving, which is auguring well for businesses servicing the industry.

In March, the island nation welcomed a total of 209,181 international visitors, a 66 percent year-on-year growth. The daily arrival average for the month was about 6,747 and the weekly arrival average stood at 52,200.

Taking the lead as the largest tourist traffic generator is India, accounting for 15 percent of the total tourist arrivals. The Russian Federation ranks as the second largest source market for Sri Lanka, bringing in 13 percent of the total tourist arrivals. In the third place is the United Kingdom, accounting for 10 percent of the total arrivals.

The other key markets include Germany, China, France, Australia and the United States.

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Comments - 7

Gabriella Thursday, 04 April 2024 06:32 AM

Keep increasing hotel prices ! Let’s see what a brilliant strategy that is .

Local Jonny Thursday, 04 April 2024 09:11 AM

Chinese

D P P Prasad Thursday, 04 April 2024 09:25 AM

The tourist arrival has been boosted. Because the government has introduced the visa free entry mechanism. But this mechanism may very badly affect the certain key sectors. Due to the arrival of drug traffickers humans traffickers and gold diggers under the pretext of this free entry numinous social issues may be created unknowingly. Therefore the necessary action should be taken to regulate the visa free entry process by the government

Cecil Hedwige Thursday, 04 April 2024 10:03 AM

The new Minister for tourism Harin Fernando should be congratulated for this improvement in Tourist numbers especially from india.Mr Minister please keep it up.

Shera Thursday, 04 April 2024 04:17 PM

Worldwide tourism slows down in February and March but picks up again in April. Hotel and tourism industry must plan accordingly and change or increase promotion and marketing strategies for this slow period.

Manu Amma Thursday, 04 April 2024 08:02 PM

I think I mentioned before a few times. From VOP charging a visa fee would be ok (even many countries are offering visa free entry and therefore no fees as well) - Fees should be same for every PP holder (not depending on country). Furthermore as least give visa for 90 days, extendable online for another 90 or 120 days. Fees? I think USD 40 for first 30 upto 90 days and another USD 20 for next 90 upto 120 days should be enough. Maybe long staying guests are not spending that much money in short time, but all over?! "A bird in the hand is worth two in the bush"

Raven Friday, 05 April 2024 09:32 AM

The setting up of unrealistic goals is a way to keep the 'engine' running at full speed, instead of settling. It's a method used worldwide and has never failed to produce excellent results. The tourist board is doing fine.

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Tourist arrivals surpass 200,000 mark but miss monthly target

Comments - 7

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