Sri Lanka Tourism expects continued growth following peaceful election
Sri Lanka’s tourism industry is anticipating continued growth following the recent presidential election, widely regarded as one of the most peaceful in the nation’s history.
Newly elected President Anura Kumara Dissanayake has prioritized the sector, pledging to unlock its full potential. This commitment, coupled with proactive initiatives from industry leaders, Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority (SLTDA) and the Sri Lanka Tourism Promotion Bureau (SLTPB), is bolstering confidence in the island’s tourism offerings.
“We are confident in achieving even greater heights and offering travellers an unparalleled experience,” said Chalaka Gajabahu, Chairman of the SLTPB.
“Beyond our renowned natural beauty, rich cultural heritage, and world-famous hospitality, we are actively developing new and enhanced tourism offerings. As Sri Lanka embarks on this exciting new chapter, the message is clear to global explorers: Come back for more and experience the difference our island offers.”
Meanwhile Priantha Fernando, Chairman of the SLTDA notes, “Our main objective is to develop Sri Lanka Tourism on a sustainable platform, ushering benefits to the community and focusing on the development of regional tourism.” He also emphasised the need to support the industry to recover from the financial burden it is currently facing. Sri Lanka is further taking concrete steps to welcome more visitors. Visa-free travel for citizens of 39 countries will begin in October, and the tourism industry is optimistic about the reinstatement of the streamlined Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) system pending a court decision. These initiatives have the tourism authorities confident in reaching its target of 2.3 million tourist arrivals in 2024.
Sri Lanka attracted 70,678 tourist arrivals from September 1 to 17, 2024 and with it total arrivals passed the 1,433,346 million mark. Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority, the timely introduction of this visa free initiative is a strategic move to attract travelers from key markets in the world. Sri Lanka’s appeal as a top-tier destination is well-documented. CEOWORLD magazine ranked fifth among the list of “World’s Best Countries To Visit In Your Lifetime, 2024,” while Forbes Magazine ranked it the fourth most popular destination for solo travellers in 2024.
TripAdvisor also recognized Colombo, the nation’s vibrant commercial hub, as the seventh-best in the “Culture Destinations – World” category of its Travelers’ Choice Awards Best of the Best 2024. With a renewed focus on hospitality and accessibility, Sri Lanka is poised to welcome a new wave of travellers eager to experience its unique charm.
Sri Lanka touches 1.45 Mn tourism arrival mark
Chalaka Gajabahu, Priantha Fernando
Sri Lanka touched the 1.45 million tourism arrival mark (1,455,307) on Monday (23) while visitor numbers at 92,639 from September 1 to 23. Total arrivals for 2023 was 1, 487,303.
The main source market for Sri Lanka was India accounting for 19,646 arrivals and taking 21.1% of the entire market share. The United Kingdom was second (7,041) while Germany (6,593) and China (6,030) were third and fourth.
With China Air deciding to reintroduce to enhance its frequency to Colombo with the launch of daily flights, beginning on the October 27, Chinese arrivals will further increase.
The new daily service, aligning with the winter schedule will cater to the increasing demand for travel to Sri Lanka, which is gaining popularity as a year-round destination for both leisure and business travelers. Sri Lanka’s tourism sector is optimistic that this increase in direct air capacity will further boost visitor arrivals, especially during the peak winter months, when global travelers seek tropical getaways.
This strategic move underscores Air China’s commitment to bolstering connectivity between China and South Asia.
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