President Ranil Wickremesinghe has outlined plans to attract over two million tourists to Sri Lanka, including those willing to spend $500 per day although tourist numbers had dropped following the protests in May and June of last year.
He announced plans to make Sri Lanka a year-round tourist destination, with measures to be taken to promote the tourism sector.
The President made these comments during a meeting with businessmen from the tourism industry in the Galle District, which was organized under the theme “Survival and Overcoming Challenges in the Tourism Industry.”
During the meeting, President Wickremesinghe acknowledged the challenges faced by those in the tourism sector due to the recent economic downturn. However, he reassured the attendees that a planned program is being implemented to revitalize the sector.
The President outlined a program to attract over two million tourists to Sri Lanka, including those willing to spend $500 per day. To achieve this goal, a committee has been appointed to implement the plan as soon as possible.
In addition, President Wickremesinghe stressed the importance of better publicity for Sri Lanka to the world. He highlighted the recent Independence Day celebrations, which were held with pride to demonstrate that law and order have been stabilized in the country.
The President also noted that tourist numbers had dropped following the protests in May and June of last year. To attract tourists back to Sri Lanka, he emphasized the need to demonstrate that law and order has been restored in the country.
Overall, the meeting was seen as a positive step towards promoting tourism in Sri Lanka. The President’s commitment to the industry and his plans to revitalize the sector were welcomed by the attendees, who hope that this will lead to increased investment and growth in the sector.
Year-to-date tourist arrivals crossed the 150,000 mark with 54,685 visitors during the first 14 days of February.
As per provisional data released by the Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority (SLTDA) yesterday, a total of 157,230 visitors arrived in the country so far.
Sri Lanka welcomed 26,506 in the first week and 28,179 in the second week of February, the provisional data released by the Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority showed.
It also showed that the daily average arrivals have picked up to 3,906 in February so far ─ a significant improvement compared to last year.
During the first two weeks of February Russia topped the tourist inflow reflecting 26% or 14,145, followed by India with 12% or 6,825 tourists, the UK with 9% or 4,721 tourists, Germany with 7% or 3,881 tourists, and France with 6% or 3,510 tourists.
Tourists from Australia, Canada, the US, Israel and Switzerland were also welcomed in Sri Lanka.
Russia continues the head-start over India as the top source market year-to-date whilst furthering the lead of over 18,815 tourists.
The top tourist source market for Sri Lanka YTD is Russia with a cumulative number of arrivals at 39,399, followed by India with 20,584, the UK with 13,204, Germany with 12,098 and France with 8,350.
With January arrivals breaking the 100,000 mark for the first time in nine months, Sri Lanka’s tourism industry started 2023 on a positive note.
