First 2 weeks of new year attracts over 39,000 tourists

• Tourism Minister overwhelmed by rebound in arrivals despite Omicron fears
• Russia, India, Ukraine, UK, Germany, France, Maldives, Australia, Poland, US among top source markets 
• Says Global Communication Campaign will be rolled out before end of Q1
• Sri Lanka Tourism to participate at top international trade shows to promote, attract tourists

A record 39,172 tourists have arrived within the first two weeks of January, reinforcing the industry’s optimism for the winter season.

“Despite the fears of ‘Omicron’, there is a significant increase in the tourist arrivals to the country. It seems that the travellers have come into terms with the new normalcy amidst the pandemic. We hope the trend will continue,” Tourism Minister Prasanna Ranatunga said yesterday.

As per provisional data, from 1-14 January, a total of 6,963 tourists from Russia arrived, becoming the top source market, followed by India, Ukraine, UK, Germany, France, Maldives, Australia, Poland and the US.

Sri Lanka finished 2021 with 194,495 tourists, with December attracting 89,506 – the highest for a month since the onset of the pandemic in March 2020. 

The Government is pinning hopes on tourism as a low-hanging fruit to boost foreign exchange earnings.

“We are hoping to implement the much-awaited Global Communication Campaign (GCC) targeting the eight main source markets before the end of first quarter, whilst also rolling out the short-term initiatives by Sri Lanka Tourism Promotions Bureau (SLTPB). We will ensure to take all steps necessary to boost the industry,” the Minister said.

Ranatunga also said that Sri Lanka would participate in leading international trade shows this year to promote and entice travellers. 

President Gotabaya Rajapaksa is of the view that the tourism industry must gradually be opened up with lesser restrictions for international travellers along with the aggressive vaccination drive, as it is a key foreign exchange earning sector for the economy.

Sri Lanka has lost around $ 10 billion in foreign exchange earnings due to the pandemic since early 2020.