October 2022 arrivals to Sri Lanka total only 42,026
Sri Lanka recorded 42,026 arrivals in October 2022, which, although nearly double the 22,771 arrivals figure in 2021 for the same month, is disappointingly low and contrary to Sri Lanka Tourism’s predictions.
The top five markets to emerge for the country during October 2022, were; India (8,862), Russian Federation (6,189), United Kingdom (4,275), Germany (2,881) and Australia (2,106).
In the first ten months of this year, the total number of tourists attracted by the nation is 568,258. Year-to-date, India accounts for the highest number of arrivals with 95,487 while the United Kingdom (72,802) and Russian Federation (57,489) remain at second and third place. Germany and France slot in at fourth and fifth place with 45,389 and 30,976 tourists, respectively.
As per the Minister of Tourism, Sri Lanka has already earned revenue in excess of 1 billion from tourism receipts so far, and will end the year 2022 with USD. 1.7 billion. Loftily adding that they hope to woo another 200,000 more arrivals during the remaining two months of the year – November and December, the minister conceded, “I must admit that this is definitely lower than the anticipated target of one million arrivals and USD 2 billion revenue, we anticipated.”
Prophesying further, the Minister goes on to say “However we can all see that the country is now moving in the right direction and I predict that Sri Lanka would be able to net in revenue in the excess of USD 2 billion and over 2 million arrivals in 2023.”
Aeroflot resumed operations to Sri Lanka during October, contributing to improved arrivals from Russia. Tourists from Russia are expected to further increase in the coming weeks as Aeroflot informs that about 75% of the tickets to Sri Lanka have already been booked for the November 2022 to March 2023 period. Further, Edelweiss, Air France, Royal Dutch Airlines, and Azur Air are expected to resume flights to Colombo from this month.
Sri Lanka tourism is also gearing up to lure a section of spectators to the upcoming FIFA World Cup, to be held in Doha, Qatar from 20 November, by hosting the fans between the matches, claiming that Qatar Airways and Flydubai have agreed to increasing its frequency to Sri Lanka, during that period.
Meanwhile, tourism officials, during a recent meeting with the President of Sri Lanka, have pointed out that the tourism industry has been adversely affected due to the high landing charges levied by foreign aircraft. In response, the President requested the Senior Adviser to the President on National Security and Chief of the Presidential Staff who was present at the meeting, to look into the matter and take steps to solve it.
Hospitality Sri Lanka
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