SL aims to welcome 1 million tourists this year; Harin Fernando

20 August 2022 11:10 pm - 26 - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

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Tourism minister Harin Fernando who was in Ahmedabad to promote tourism in the island nation said that as things get back to normal after the recent political crisis in the island nation, the government aims to receive at least 10 lakh tourists this year, mostly from India.

Fernando, who was in Ahmedabad to promote tourism in the island nation, said religious and cultural tourism between Sri Lanka and India "will make a lot of sense".

"There are a lot of commonalities we can find with India, and we think the next year will be mostly dedicated to India," Fernando told reporters.

Sri Lanka has already logged five lakh tourists for the current year, and hopes to end the year with 10 lakh tourists, mostly from India, the minister said.

He further said 2018 was the best for the country when around 23 lakh tourists visited and generated a revenue of $4-5 billion for the country, he said.

"We have $900 million coming from the tourism sector (so far this year), and are hoping that by the end of the year we might reach about $2 billion," Fernando said.

The country hopes to end this year with 10 lakh tourists and the next year with 15-20 lakh tourists, he said.

"Till now (this year), we have had 75,000 Indian tourists coming to Sri Lanka, followed by the United Kingdom (65,000). The first two-three months were good, and then we had a very dull period between April-June (due to political turmoil)," the minister said.

Things have again started to pick up and currently, the country has been receiving close to 2,000 tourists per day (as against the peak of 7,000 per day), he said.

"Sri Lanka, some would say, is a sort of India, we are a part of India...We are the pearl of the Indian Ocean, the value of Sri Lanka would be for Indians and we need to work that out with Indians," Fernando said.

The island country is trying to work with a few ashrams in India to promote such tourism, he added.

"We are trying to bring in a big crowd at once about 2,000 pilgrims to Jaffna airport, and from there starting by road. We are looking at exploring these new avenues. We also have a lot of wellness, yoga, meditation and Ayurvedic medicines. There are a lot of values that India and Sri Lanka share," the minister said.

Sri Lanka looks to India as its big brother who has always been supportive.

"We thank the Narendra Modi government, especially at this point where Sri Lanka had difficult times in the last couple of months," the minister said.

In terms of currency exchange also Sri Lanka offers a better value for money, with one Indian rupee being equivalent to four Sri Lankan rupees, he said.

"Indians will have a better value for money while touring Sri Lanka rather than Indian destinations at this moment. Sri Lanka has a lot more to offer," he said.

Unfortunately, travellers from Gujarat look more to Far East countries such as Malaysia, Singapore and Thailand as their preferred tourism destinations, Fernando said.

Sri Lankan cricketer Sanath Jayasuriya, who is the brand ambassador for Sri Lanka tourism, said his countrymen have realised that they need to come back to normal life.

"Sri Lankans want stability with the new government. People have seen this change with the fuel crisis and gas, and we do not have long queues anymore. That is what people need," Jayasuriya said.

"We need people to visit Sri Lanka. Tourism is the main source of income for the country, which is now safe to travel. The message should go that you can travel to Sri Lanka. We are hospitable people. We want people to travel and visit Sri Lanka," he said.(PTI)

Comments - 26

Naki maina Saturday, 20 August 2022 11:34 PM

Lol.. from where? All western countries will boycott srilanks . Who will come to this terrorist state. Junta must go, then only we can expect recovery.

Nihal S Sunday, 21 August 2022 01:40 AM

Hello Minister, please comment on the availability of fuel for transport once the tourists arrived in the Island. Thank you.

Regular traveller Sunday, 21 August 2022 01:59 AM

Indian tourists bring in loads of dollars. People in the south think. Indians are poor. There are poor as well as richest of the rich in India like any other country. There are 1.5 billion people in India. In SL we have just 22 million. Jaffna international airport will have to be upgraded for International western and Eastern flights similar to Katunayake to get the benefits to the whole country.

Habarana Palagedara Sunday, 21 August 2022 02:21 AM

Harin you must put a AMUDA from a Stake of Mina/Kaputa and show to tourists as international advertisement so that they will come to see you!!

Ram Sunday, 21 August 2022 05:04 AM

There must be a public assurance on availability of fuel for their travel in the country. A new QR Code or some method must be initiated. Then those who are looking at other places may look at our beautiful Sri Lanka. Authorities must act fast

Chris Sunday, 21 August 2022 07:13 AM

Just so Srilankan, so short sighted. We have been always aiming and getting 2.5 million tourists. Countries like Thailand, Singapore attracts more than 10 times this annually. Just imagine what a two or three fold increase can do

Sivakumar, Jaffna Hindu Tamil Sunday, 21 August 2022 07:22 AM

It is ludicrous to promote Indian tourism to Sri Lanka. Who told you Indians are known for their tourism ? Because India was continuously under foreign military occupations for ONE THOUSAND YEARS UNTIL 1947, “INDIAN MIND NEVER EVOLVED TO EMBRACE THE ENJOYMENTS THAT COME FROM VISITING NEW PLACES AND MEETING NEW PEOPLE”.

Colin Sunday, 21 August 2022 08:55 AM

Harin aim at the Gulf countries tourists. The Arab tourists used to come to SL in the millions and they are great spenders so let us woo them back

Safoora Sunday, 21 August 2022 11:50 AM

The way you treat the Muslims had made Arab tourism to SL a far fetched reality.. but no harm in trying.

Sandy Sunday, 21 August 2022 09:02 AM

The era of talking is over , show results and achievements.

Not worth it during these times Sunday, 21 August 2022 09:05 AM

While there is so much effort and hope to try remove won of the worst governments in power, a million tourists coming just makes things worse. Gives government more avenues to suppress local efforts to over throw them in the name of public calm/security so the tourists can go about their business while our people eat the suffering of suppression.

SHM Sunday, 21 August 2022 09:14 AM

From where did he get these figures?

Sachi Sunday, 21 August 2022 09:55 AM

You may not like Harins pollitics. Now he is trying revive the tourism industry in the country, everyone will benefit from that... so pls dont pull from his leg with negative comments

Senaka With Sunday, 21 August 2022 10:02 AM

To lead this Ministry,First of all we need to find a person with better knowledge about tourism ..! Not a Fish Market Vendor..!

Ranjan G Sunday, 21 August 2022 10:08 AM

Hey Harin, Thank you for your plan to bring 1 million tourists to the country. Don't forget your promise after becoming a minister. Your statement to the public to say that you will give up your MP's position if Ranjan will get the pardon from the President. We will keep an eye on you . By next week you will offer it to Ranjan. Keep your word Mr Minister. Thanks

M Perera Sunday, 21 August 2022 10:12 AM

The Last time I was in SL. The tour guid told us Indian tourists are the worst. Rude and hardly spends money. Attract more European and the US sector.

Arnold Sunday, 21 August 2022 10:14 AM

Most Indian "tourists" turn out to be saree sellers roaming estate line rooms.

Jef Sunday, 21 August 2022 10:23 AM

Our tourisam sector need to have a proper planning team system with hands on experience how other countries that promote to generate huge attraction from the sector Promotional work history sinaries remarkable experience facilities etc etc to be used along digital advertising marketing strategy tourist will flow if nesersory are provided specially the group tours once word of mouth gets around easly can archive the best

Kirsten Andersen, white Denish young woman Sunday, 21 August 2022 10:50 AM

Reading all those disgusting and racist comments about Europeans, do you really think we like to travel to Sri Lanka? Sri Lanka is not a safe country, we are warned by our travel agency.

Who care Sunday, 21 August 2022 11:47 AM

We are the number one beggers and we would like it reconfirm that we shall continue to remain as number one begger.. please help us

Citizen k Sunday, 21 August 2022 03:15 PM

Mr M .perera the very same saree sellers government stood by us when our nation was on the verge of starvation and all saree sellers contributed their money to send food for our starving people even their beggers sent donation which was accepted by our government without turning a hair.Now who is mean minded and who is generous? You decided.. Take your false pride and shove it in a deep dark hole where the sun never shines. Get real.

SHM Sunday, 21 August 2022 06:24 PM

Sorry to see there are still people who falls for politicians' sweet talks! Let them achieve and tell us then we will never hesitate to salute them!

Ranjan Sunday, 21 August 2022 07:47 PM

Citizen K, even the “ farts “ produced by starving Indians would be interpreted by you as “oxygen” that would drift to benefit Sri Lanka. You are insanely pathetic in your defence of India.

Ceylonese Monday, 22 August 2022 06:12 AM

According to current figures 65% of tourists to Sri Lanka come from India because it is a cheap destination to tourists and travelling is so easy. They mainly come for Duty Free shopping to purchase foreign liquor etc. and make a fast buck over there because the Indian Rupee is more than twice the value of the SL Rupee. Though Sri Lanka is often hyped as a tourists paradise the little city I live overseas receives four times as many tourists than the whole of Sri Lanka put together annually even before the covid- 19 struck in 2020. As such a massive campaign is necessary to boost the number of tourists visiting the country from all over the world

Damian Monday, 22 August 2022 10:20 AM

With the current travel bans agents are unable to issue tickets to SL unless govt changes its policies not sure how this minister hopes to achieve theses targets, also need to keep in mind the Qty of tourist means nothing and spending capacity means everything.

Rafekulla Monday, 22 August 2022 11:04 AM

How can the tourist visit places as there are power cuts and have advanced noticed from there tourist advice management in there country the kerosene prices is 200 above, how can tree wheeler promote travelling as the y have shortage of gasoline and The three wheelers are good promoter or city carries by their own advertisement and have thought that because to keep traveling and searching for new things to do, now they are not focused.

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SL aims to welcome 1 million tourists this year; Harin Fernando

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