Tourist arrivals to Sri Lanka further improve despite crisis
Despite the current economic crisis in Sri Lanka, which has led to planned power interruptions and shortage of fuel, tourist arrivals to Sri Lanka, during the first twenty one days of March, totaled 75,316 international visitors into the island.
The current numbers indicate that Sri Lanka would be able to attract more than 100,000 tourists in March 2022 - for the first time since February 2020; a month before Sri Lanka imposed island wide lockdowns to curb Covid-19.
During the first two months of this year, Sri Lanka had managed to attract more than 178,834 travelers into the country with February bringing in 96,507 visitors and January 82,327.
The data shared by the Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority (SLTDA) showed that India remains as the largest source market for Sri Lanka tourism, replacing the Russian Federation.
Russia, which was the second largest tourist traffic generator, slipped to the third position in the third week of March and the United Kingdom, despite issuing a travel advisory earlier this month to its citizens, moved up to the second position.
Ukraine, which was amongst the top 10 source markets for Sri Lanka tourism, is no longer in the list, as the country’s air space being closed due to the ongoing conflict.
During the first 21 days of March 2022, the highest number of visitors came from India followed by the United Kingdom, Russia, Germany, France, Poland, Kazakhstan, Australia, the United States and Canada.
Ukraine, which was amongst the top five source markets for Sri Lanka tourism, is no longer in the list, as the country’s air space being closed due to the ongoing conflict.
Following the rapid spread of the Covid-19 pandemic globally and in the country, Sri Lanka opted to close borders to international travelers in March 2020. It was lifted during the latter part of January 2021.
According to the SLTDA, following the opening, 1,682 visitors arrived in the country in January, 3,366 in February and 4,581 in March last year showing some promise, but arrivals started to shrink thereafter with 4,168 in April and 1,497 in May. In June, the country welcomed 1,614 travelers, once again showing promise of improvement. In July, Sri Lanka greeted 2,429 travelers followed by 5,040 in August, 13,547 in September, 22,771 in October, 44,294 in November and 89,506 in December last year.
Hospitality Sri Lanka
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