SL welcomes over 50,000 tourists in first 20 days of Dec.

• Russia, India and UK emerge as top source markets for Dec. thus far
• YTD arrivals pushed to 678,392

Sri Lanka has welcomed over 50,000 tourists during the first 20 days of the month, boosted by Russian visitors. 

A total of 50,375 tourists have already arrived in the country during the first 20 days of the month, pushing the year-to-date figure to 678,392 so far, Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority data showed. 

Russia emerged as the top source market, followed by India and the UK. 

The top three source markets for the month also accounted for 49% of the total tourists who arrived in the month of December.

Visitors were also received from Australia, Germany, the US, Canada, France, the Maldives and Israel during the first 20 days of the month.

India remains strong as the top tourist source market for Sri Lanka YTD, followed by the UK, Russia, Germany, France, Australia, Canada, and the US. 

As per data released by the Central Bank, earnings from the tourism sector crossed the $ 1 billion mark in October. From January to November, earnings from tourism amounted to a total of $ 1.12 billion reflecting a 313% increase from the corresponding period of last year impacted by COVID-19. 

The crossing of the $ 1 billion mark follows November earnings amounting to $ 107.5 million up from $ 75.6 million in October this year. In November last year, earnings amounted to $ 115.4 million.