• THASL President M. Shanthikumar says hotels countrywide enjoying benefits from influx of tourists
• SLAITO President Thilak Weerasinghe opines SL needs to roll out global marketing campaign 
• Underscores importance of adhering to health guidelines to ensure impetus of economic development

Sri Lanka has attracted nearly 59,000 tourists during the first 22 days of January, reinstating confidence among industry for faster revival.

As per the Tourism Ministry, this was a significant increase from the 1,682 arrivals recorded in January last year.

The Russian Federation recorded the highest number with 9,697 tourists, followed by India with 8,902, Ukraine 5,948, UK 5,175 and Germany 3,640.

The Hotels Association of Sri Lanka (THASL) President M. Shanthikumar said the business has picked up after two years.

“Hotels countrywide are enjoying the benefits of the influx of travellers. It is nice to see the businesses picking up after two years. If this trend continues throughout the year, we are hopeful of faster revival of the industry,” he told the Daily FT.

Shanthikumar also highlighted the importance of adhering to the health guidelines to ensure the impetus of industry and economic development.

Sri Lanka Association of Inbound Tour Operators (SLAITO) President Thilak Weerasinghe said the numbers would have doubled or more if Western European markets were not impacted with Omicron during this season.

Weerasinghe also opined that Sri Lanka needs to soon roll out the global marketing campaign to garner international attention.

THASL Chief says much needed forex to flow to hotels sector via CBSL move