August 2023 arrivals to Sri Lanka flatters then falter
According to the Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority (SLTDA), Sri Lanka welcomed 138,405 tourists in August 2023.
The highest number of tourists who came last month, were from India with 30,593 (22%), followed by 15,035 from the United Kingdom (11%), China with 9,262 (7%), 8,472 from Germany (6%), the Russian Federation with 6,853 (5%), France with 6,223 (5%), Australia’s 5,522 (4%), 5,110 from Italy (4%), 4,735 from Canada (4%) and Spain with 4,455 (3%).
Sri Lanka’s tourist arrivals momentum which was on an upward trajectory between the second half of July and first half of August declined in the last two weeks of August.
During the first two week of August, arrivals to the country totaled 35,775 and 37,890 respectively, whereas, in the third and fourth weeks (ending 20th and 27th) of that month, there were just 29,347 and 20,273 visitors respectfully.
Interestingly, the total arrivals of 37,890 during the 2nd week of August 2023 exceeded that of the total arrivals (37,760) who visited the island during the entire month of August 2022 - thus fueling expectations that it would turn out to be a bumper month. Alas, it was not to be.
That the Kandy Esela Perehara held during the latter part of August, and, the Asia Cup Cricket competition that began towards the end of the month would attract more overseas spectators did not measure upto expectations.
Excluding the month of May, which saw 83,309 visitors, Sri Lanka has attracted over 100,000 visitors each month with July’s 143,030 arrivals remaining the highest todate.
On a cumulative basis, during the period from 1 January to 31 August this year, Sri Lanka attracted 904,318 visitors, surpassing the total 719,978 tourists who arrived during the whole of 2022.
Last year, Sri Lanka failed to achieve its downsized target by over 80,000 visitors and the original target by 280,000, as per data. This year, the Government hopes that the country will be able to attract at least 1.55 million visitors, (downsized from 2 million).
Following Air Arabia’s recent announcement that it would commence thrice-weekly operations connecting Abu Dhabi to Colombo, from 3rd January 2024, comes the news that Hong Kong based Cathay Pacific will resume flights to and from Colombo, beginning 2nd February 2024. The airline will fly three times a week.
Hospitality Sri Lanka
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