High-ranked Sri Lanka Tourism delegation in Ukraine today

Wednesday, 8 September 2021 00:00 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

Tourism Minister Prasanna Ranatunga-led delegation will leave for Ukraine today (8) in a fresh destination promotion effort targeting the coming winter season.

During the three-day official visit, Tourism Minister Ranatunga is scheduled to hold bilateral discussions with Ukraine’s tourism and aviation ministers, followed by a meeting with tour operators, the Daily FT learns.The Minister is accompanied by Regional Cooperation State Minister Tharaka Balasuriya, Aviation and Export Development State Ministry Additional Secretary Sunil Gunawardena, Sri Lanka Tourism Chairperson Kimarli Fernando, Airport and Aviation Services (Sri Lanka) Vice Chairman Rajiv Sooriyaarachchi, Tourism Advisory Committee Member Nimesh Herath, Tourism Ministry Media Secretary Pradeep Kumara and 13 tour operators.

Since the initiation of the pilot project for Ukrainian travellers from 28 December 2020 till 12 August, Sri Lanka saw 21,951 tourist arrivals. Ukraine has been the second biggest source market so far this year accounting for 18% or 2,700 arrivals. Kazakhstan is the main source with a share of 21%, or 3,200 arrivals. Last year, 17,000 Ukrainian tourists visited Sri Lanka.

Sri Lanka’s efforts to draw more tourists come amidst claims by some members of the Opposition that the pilot Ukrainian project aggravated the COVID spread. However, the Tourism Ministry and industry associations have denied any links.

According to the Tourism Ministry, of the total tourists who arrived, only 220 tourists were COVID-infected, and most of them have recovered and returned to their homeland.

At present there are over 6,000 tourists in the country, as per Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority (SLTDA).