Amid a rejuvenated focus on revitalising Sri Lanka’s tourism industry, President Ranil Wickremesinghe embarked on an observation tour in Tangalle and Galle yesterday, underscoring the Government’s commitment to enhancing tourist facilities.
President Wickremesinghe’s visit came in the backdrop of record earnings from tourism this year (45 days) alone, which amounted to Rs.7,000 million from 306,708 tourists. The tourism surge in Sri Lanka is evident from the unprecedented 106 percent year-on-year increase in tourist arrivals, with around 9,000 visitors daily.
Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority (SLTDA) Director General Nalin Perera said that record numbers of Indians and other tourists were visiting Sri Lanka following a successful global campaign centred on the theme, “You Will Come Back for More”. With Indians currently making up over 20 percent of the tourist arrivals in Sri Lanka, the campaign targets at least 10 percent of the 50 million Indians who travel abroad annually. Australia, China, India and Russia are among the biggest groups of tourists to Sri Lanka, according to the SLTDA. Sri Lanka is planning to get one million tourists from China by end 2025.
Sri Lanka Travel Feneteko