The Sri Lankan tourism industry, for the first time touched the US$2.5 billion revenue mark for 2014. In addition the industry also for the first time in history passed the 1.5 million tourists arrivals for 2014 recording 1, 527,153. This is a 19.8% increase as against the previous year of 1,274,593 during 2013.

Most of the tourist arrivals were from Western Europe with 479,007 tourists visiting in 2014, recording a 13.8 percent increase over corresponding 2013 figures. For the month of December 55,877 tourists arrived in the island, 13.9% more than in December 2013.

The number of Chinese tourists arriving in the island rose by an impressive 136.1 percent to reach 128,166. In December alone tourist arrivals from China increased by 120.4 percent with 10,400 Chinese tourists visiting the island.

Arrivals from South Asia, the other region from where most of the tourists come, increased by 13.4 percent to record 370,299, while arrivals from India increased 16.3 percent to 242,734 in 2014.

By achieving 2014’s arrival target of 1.5 million tourists, the tourism industry has shown a steady growth by assuring continuance in momentum with its key focus for the next two years and to attract a number of 2.5 million arrivals by the end of 2016.

This strategic development plan of Sri Lanka tourism will achieve its core objectives serving the needs of all stakeholders and ensuring the economic benefits of the industry distributed to a larger cross section of the society.

The 1.5 millionth tourists were a German couple, Torrens Jaime and Ciupika Hedwig who arrived at Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA) via UL558. The couple were given a warm welcome by the Sri Lanka Tourism Promotion Bureau, industry leaders and senior staff of Sri Lanka Tourism Promotion Bureau.

A special cultural dance performance was held at the BIA to welcome the couple and Sri Lanka Tourism offered a special gift and a complimentary package for them to visit the country’s tourism attractions.

Torrens Jaime, who happened to be an architect by profession and is a great admirer of the late and legendary Archt. Geoffrey Bawa.