Sri Lanka Tourism now implements a strategic plan to double the arrivals to 1.5 million and to generate an income of over $ 5 billion highlighting the sector as a major economic driver. Tourism Minister Harin Fernando disclosed.
The tourism ministry has set an ambitious arrival target of 1.5 million tourists for next year and a 3 million arrivals target for 2024.
He also expressed confidence in achieving the 800,000 arrivals target of this year, banking on Sri Lankan diaspora who will come to visit their friends and family after two years post-COVID pandemic.
Minister Fernando said Sri Lanka is aiming to generate over 5 billion in income next year with high-end travelers who spend over $ 400 per day from the current $ 200.
He noted that the authorities along with private sector players are ramping up collective efforts to exploit all available opportunities to boost foreign exchange earnings via the tourism industry for a speedy economic revival.
The Tourism Development Authority will explore new markets such as Japan, Korea, Georgia, Australia, New Zealand and Eastern Europe countries, adding that plans are also underway to attract the many US tourists coming from India to Sri Lanka.
“It has identified 49 Tourism Zones and of that 14 have been gazetted and whilst the others will also be gazetted before the end of the year,” he said.
Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority Chairman Priantha Fernando said a 10-year national tourism policy will be introduced in early January.
The tourism industry is off to a promising start in December with the average daily arrivals exceeding 2,300 as opposed to 1,900 in November, marking it the highest since April.
Sri Lanka has welcomed 16,169 tourists during the first week of the month, largely driven by Russian travelers, the provisional data by the Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority (SLTDA) showed.
The first week of December arrivals has also pushed the cumulative figure to date to 644,168, boosting anticipation among the tourism industry for a good start in the winter season which continues till the end of March 2023.
The daily average arrivals have picked up by 31% to 2,310 in the first week of the month, compared to 1,776 recorded in the first week of November.
Russia emerged as the top source market, reflecting 21% or 3,404 of total arrivals during the first seven days followed by India with 18% or 2,856, the United Kingdom with 10% or 1,519, Australia with 6% or 1,016, and Australia with 4% or 683.
The arrival of the luxury cruise liner, Azamara Quest, the resumption of many new international airlines and charter flights as well as the global promotions at the ITM Paris, Indian and WTM were the key reasons for the favourable pick-up arrival figures.
