Tourist arrivals post reopening of borders have now crossed the 150,000 mark, with the Government also planning to soon roll out a joint effort to promote Sri Lanka as an attractive destination.

During the first 20 days of December, 47,120 tourists have arrived, pushing the cumulative figure to 152,109. This is also the highest number of tourists that had been recorded in any month post-COVID.

“An integrated promotion will be rolled out with the support of all tourism-related organisations and SriLankan Airlines to promote the country as an attractive destination,” Tourism Minister Prasanna Ranatunga said at the preliminary discussion held yesterday.

Pointing out that Sri Lanka Tourism, Airport and Aviation Services (Lanka) Ltd., and SriLankan Airlines are conducting separate promotions at present, he said the new integrated program will be implemented in addition to those.

The Government is also set to declare 2022 as ‘Visit Sri Lanka Year’ in line with the integrated five-year Global Communication Campaign (GCC), as its aims for six million tourists and $ 10 billion in earnings by 2025 despite COVID-related challenges.

Heads of all institutions under the Tourism Ministry attended the meeting held under the patronage of Minister Ranatunga yesterday.

Tourism Ministry Secretary S. Hettiarachchi, Aviation State Ministry Secretary Janaka Sri Chandragupta, AASL Chairman Major General (Retd.) G. A. Chandrasiri, SriLankan Airlines Chairman Ashok Pathirage, Sri Lanka Tourism Chairperson Kimali Fernando and a large number of officers attended the meeting.

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