Tourist arrivals continue to dip

17 May 2023 06:41 am - 16 - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

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March second week records 17, 699 tourist arrivals
Daily arrival average slows to 2, 578

Tourist arrivals to the island nation continue to slow down with the number of weekly international travellers entering Sri Lanka dropping further. According to provisional data released by the Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority (SLTDA), the second week of May welcomed a total of 17,699 visitors, which are the lowest weekly arrivals recorded so far for this year.

A brief analysis of tourist arrivals of previous years (pre-Covid and Easter Sunday attack) showed that May typically records the lowest influx of international visitors in a calendar year. In the first week of May, Sri Lanka welcomed 18, 401 visitors, which was a significant drop when compared with the 31,719 arrivals recorded in the fourth week of April.

With Sri Lanka recording 36,100 tourist arrivals for the May 1-14 period, the daily arrival average for the month is at 2,578, which again is significantly lower compared with the daily arrival average level of 3,200 - 4,500 in the first four months of the year.

India topped the list as the largest source market accounting for 26 percent or 9,323 of the total arrivals in the week under review.

Ranking second was the Russian Federation, which accounted for 10 percent or 3,686 of the total arrivals. In third place was the United Kingdom accounting for 7 percent or 2,523 arrivals.

Other key markets included Germany, Australia, China, and Canada.

Comments - 16

Amaran Wednesday, 17 May 2023 06:53 AM

Summer in Western countries. They can enjoy in their own country. Also find a SOLUTION TO MOSQUITO issue immediately. Tourists do not like to be beaten.

Amaran Wednesday, 17 May 2023 07:29 AM

High Commision of Sri Lanka in foreign countries can play a pivital role in canvasing for tourism. But they only live for there family BENEFITS. High time, government give them KPI

Citizen Wednesday, 17 May 2023 08:28 AM

The tourists must be obviously very worried about the number of murders, abduction of children happening on a daily basis.

Tissa Fernando Wednesday, 17 May 2023 09:10 AM

This is the off peak period.

Maheepala Wednesday, 17 May 2023 10:22 AM

Arabs have a very high disposable income and travel widely now with families and bigggg spenders. Apart from Europe, countries like Malaysia is thriving on their presence. We are very smart to do all what we can to create NOT favorable situations for them to travel. Who is responsible? Covid ? It’s stupidity

Mark Anandappa Wednesday, 17 May 2023 10:35 AM

Personal safety of every person is very important. Unfortunately what is happening around the country can be a factor.

Truth Wednesday, 17 May 2023 10:43 AM

Tourism can be one of the sources for foreign currency and cannot be one and only. Need to think further

Punchi Wednesday, 17 May 2023 11:27 AM

Some Indian Hindu organisation is hosting a very widely publicised Muliyavaikan anniversary event in Delhi. This is going to impact numbers of Indian tourists visiting our peaceful and blessed paradise

blackwater Wednesday, 17 May 2023 04:44 PM

Peaceful and Blessed country.My foot go and see a good doctor

Jonathan Wednesday, 17 May 2023 12:39 PM

May is a dull month for tourism, but Tourist Board should do well to think of some way out from the usual standard and organize events here.

KD Wednesday, 17 May 2023 12:47 PM

Its normal for tourists to dip May-September. People should look at historical numbers before rejoicing in numbers dipping. Such a spiteful bunch, Sri Lankans.

B Wednesday, 17 May 2023 01:36 PM

Tourist worried they accidentally look at Buddha theh will get arrested

lester Wednesday, 17 May 2023 02:00 PM

Remove 30 day visas and issue 6 months visas to tourist so they are inclined to stay longer. Raise the visa fee from $50 to $100. With over 2 million in tourists per year, that's an additional $100 million in revenue to the government.

Galkissaboi Wednesday, 17 May 2023 04:21 PM

Common guys get your head out of the sand and look at the facts instead of spouting more prejudice and ill-informed rhetoric. May is the start of the monsoon season which is not what any tourists want and has traditionally been the low season on the west/south coast and hill country. May is also the start of warmer weather in Europe, so Europeans are more likely to holiday in their home region. As for attracting more Middle Eastern visitors, then given the hostility shown towards SL's Muslim Community is it any wonder they prefer destinations like Malaysia.

Apalange Kandagoda Thursday, 18 May 2023 04:39 PM

They are worried when they will be robbed and no cases will be heard! Prez takes bribes and release culprits as has Been done in the past! Killing or raping are accepted for political boys! No legal cases against them!

Kevin Tuesday, 23 May 2023 09:43 PM

Promote east coast and north tourism in the off peak months where the weather is much nicer. Target southern hemisphere markets where winter is emerging during these off peak months - Brazil, Argentina, Australia, new Zealand, South Africa.

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Tourist arrivals continue to dip

Comments - 16

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