The pilot project of Ukrainian tourists is expected to generate over Rs. 800 million ($ 4 million), the travel industry said yesterday.

The Sri Lanka Association of Inbound Tour Operators (SLAITO) President Thilak Weerasinghe told the Daily FT yesterday that on average a Ukrainian tourist will spend about $ 150 per day excluding their other expenses, whilst the average stay is 14-days.

“On average a Ukrainian tourist spend $ 150 per day for accommodation on full-board basis,” he said, adding that the pilot project has immensely helped the stakeholders to get back to business in some form, whilst embracing the changes in the tourism industry.

A fresh group of 79 Ukrainian travellers arrived yesterday at the Mattala Mahinda Rajapaksa International Airport (MRIA) yesterday, marking the fourth batch under the pilot project. 

So far, 653 Ukrainian tourists have arrived since 28 December 2020. Eight more flights are scheduled with an average of 100 to 200 passengers until 24 January. 

The pilot project has been a breakthrough in the travel and tourism industry, which had been crippled due to the spread of COVID-19 since mid-March 2020. In 2019, there had been 35,000 tourists from Ukraine, marginally down from 36,500 in 2018, but higher in comparison to 23,853 in 2015. (CdS)

Private sector fully backs tourism resumption via pilot project