By: Staff Writer

November 19, Colombo (LNW): Tourism in Sri Lanka has reached a major milestone, with the arrival of over 1.7 million tourists so far in 2024. Over 100,000 visitors have arrived in the first 17 days of November, setting up a strong surge in tourism as the holiday season approaches.

The virtuous momentum has propelled Sri Lanka Tourism to alter its marketing strategy, moving away from fragmented campaigns that it had been running to introduce one unified national brand.

This newly crafted approach seeks to create and position Sri Lanka as an all-season destination while ensuring maximum return on investment.

The national rebranding effort is expected to start in January 2025 with full promotional activities starting in May. “Creative assets for the campaign will be finalized by the end of this year,” said Buddhika Hewawasam, Chairman of Sri Lanka Tourism.

This is done to ensure that Sri Lanka produces one comprehensive and coherent image that will appeal to the broad spectrum of global travelers to visit the country any time of the year.

But the tourism industry, which experienced challenges in the first half of 2024, including disruptions in visa issuance between April and September of this year, seems to be unscathed.

In November alone, 103,315 tourists arrived, bringing the total number of arrivals this year to 1.72 million. Industry analysts are optimistic that the country will surpass its revised target of 2 million visitors by the end of the year.

The Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority (SLTDA) projects nearly 200,000 arrivals for November, driven by heightened demand during the winter season.

India has been the leading source market, contributing 23,660 tourists in the first 17 days of November and 346,633 year-to-date (YTD). Russia and Germany followed, with 16,602 and 7,776 arrivals respectively. Russia has also overtaken the UK as the second-largest market with 154,201 visitors so far in 2024.

Better airline connectivity has boosted the recent tourism boom in the country. Charter flights, which stopped after the end of the civil war, restarted from Eastern Europe and Southeast Asia, while major carriers increased their frequencies.

This trend is likely to persist during the winter season, given that Sri Lanka was recently ranked as the “Most Desirable Island” by the UK’s Wanderlust travel magazine.

Going forward, Sri Lanka Tourism is leveraging the momentum with focused marketing and enhancing infrastructure to match demand.

This will also form the bedrock of future promotions in the form of a nationally branded campaign, highlighting multi-dimensional appeal and prospects as a 365-day destination.

Industry players, however, observed that improvement in the sector still has to be addressed in streamlining processes and enhancing the ease of doing business to avoid such disruptions in the future.

Despite these disruptions, the tourism sector should post a good close to 2024 with a proper strategy toward continued growth next year.

By: Staff Writer

November 19, Colombo (LNW): The Chamber of Marine Industries of Sri Lanka has introduced an ambitious five-year strategic plan that will transform the maritime industry in the country.

 The initiative for strategic partnership development, infrastructure building, and regulatory reforms has the aim of establishing Sri Lanka as a major maritime hub in the Indian Ocean by 2029.

The plan taps into Sri Lanka’s strategic location and its membership with ICOMIA to leverage economic growth and maritime innovation towards this ambitious target of $2 billion in revenue.

Current Maritime Landscape and Growth Potential

The maritime sector, including boat exports, fisheries, and making boats, contributed 1.4% to the GDP of Sri Lanka, with a value of $78.5 million in 2023.

The industry directly employs 115,000 persons and indirectly another 100,000 through other industries related to it.

The sector has earned export revenues of over $200 million between 2019 and 2023. Yet, with the country’s strategic location and extensive coastline, transformative growth is very possible.

The strategy by CMISL is to leverage this opportunity and position Sri Lanka as a key player in the global maritime economy.

Infrastructure and Manufacturing Upgrades

The dual-purpose harbours will be developed according to the strategic plan. These are indicative of upgrading 21 existing fisheries harbours to ensure their commercial fishery and marine tourism usage.

Similarly, major ports like Galle and Trincomalee are to receive substantial improvement to increase their capacity. Besides, other regional harbours such as Beruwala, Mirissa, Point Pedro, and Kapparatota are slated for modernization in line with the emerging requirements of the industry.

It is to be expanded, and the manufacturing sector currently comprises 55 local boatyards and eight export-oriented manufacturers.

Development of critical infrastructure-slipway facilities in Negombo, Beruwala, and Welipatanwila-is envisaged to facilitate efficient transport of vessels from manufacturing sites to launch points and will contribute towards higher efficiency and a rise in the output of local manufacturers.

Additional support from the RDA and the CEB will be provided, including widening the access road and shifting power lines, to ensure the easy movement of boats and yachts.

 Specialized Ports and Economic Impact

Specialization of ports is the other main emphasis of the program. The Trincomalee Deep-Water Port will be developed to include a dry dock that will attract foreign direct investment from firms in marine services.

 This will establish Trincomalee as a center for marine-related services, which, in turn, will contribute to economic development by attracting ancillary industries.

In the same vein, Galle Port will act as a venue for luxury yachts and a display site for local boat builders until the Galle Port Mega Marina is developed. This will increase nautical tourism and provide an opportunity to enhance local craftsmanship.

Incorporating Technology and Innovation

The strategic plan also focuses on integrating more technology to upgrade the maritime industry. Training in VR and AI will be conducted for better efficiency and improved learning. Green propulsion systems and the Internet of Things will be integrated, adding sustainability to operations. Advanced aquaculture technology will support viable fishing methods. Digital systems for data collection will contribute to the management of resources for sustainable ecological balance in the long term.

By: Isuru Parakrama

November 19, Colombo (LNW): The latest Open Doors Report on International Educational Exchange, marking its 75th year, has highlighted a significant 10 per cent rise in Sri Lankan students enrolling in U.S. colleges and universities during the 2023-2024 academic year.

This growth underscores the enduring appeal of U.S. higher education and the strengthening educational ties between Sri Lanka and the United States, according to the U.S. Embassy in Colombo.

The report, a key barometer of international student mobility, shows that the United States welcomed a record 1.12 million international students from over 210 countries and territories during the same period, reaffirming its position as the premier destination for higher education.

The increase in Sri Lankan students choosing U.S. institutions reflects their desire for world-class academics, cutting-edge research opportunities, and vibrant cultural experiences.

Ambassador Julie Chung emphasised the role of education in fostering people-to-people connections:

“The growing interest from Sri Lankan students highlights the transformative impact of international education. U.S. universities offer unparalleled opportunities in education, research, and global networking, empowering students for success in a connected world. This trend mirrors the robust U.S.-Sri Lanka partnership, and we remain committed to fostering this educational bridge through initiatives like EducationUSA,” she said.

Sri Lankan students are particularly drawn to the United States for its acclaimed STEM programs, advanced research facilities, and practical training opportunities such as Optional Practical Training (OPT).

Many students pursue graduate studies, contributing to a global network of professionals with ties to both nations.

EducationUSA, a global advising network celebrating its 25th anniversary, has been pivotal in supporting Sri Lankan students.

It offers free guidance on academic planning, finding the right institutions, and navigating the application process.

The Open Doors Report 2024 highlighted several noteworthy trends in global student mobility:

• A 7 per cent overall increase in international student enrolment in U.S. institutions, with 90 per cent returning to in-person learning.
• Nearly half of all international students are enrolled in STEM programs, including Computer Science, Engineering, and Physical Sciences.
• A 13 per cent rise in international enrolment at U.S. community colleges, providing accessible pathways to higher education.
• Double-digit growth in participation in OPT programs, reflecting a commitment to hands-on learning and global career readiness.

The report’s release coincides with International Education Week (IEW), an initiative by the U.S. Departments of State and Education to celebrate the benefits of international education and promote cross-cultural exchange.

Events like these reinforce the mutual exchange of knowledge and culture, showcasing the value of international education in building global understanding.

The Open Doors Report is an annual publication by the Institute of International Education (IIE) in collaboration with the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs.

It serves as a vital resource for policymakers, educational institutions, and governments worldwide, offering insights into international education trends and strategies.