• November sees daily average rise to over 1,800 from 1,300 in October
• Noticeable jump in daily arrivals after Russian flag carrier Aeroflot resumed operations to Colombo
• SL welcomes 27,213 globetrotters in first 15 days, pushing YTD arrivals to 585,762
• Russia, India and UK respectively emerge as top source markets for November thus far
• Industry analysts say resumption services by multiple airlines, international campaigns boost arrivals

By Charumini de Silva

Tourist arrivals are averaging an improved 1,800 per day this month as against 1,355 in October, mainly boosted by Russian travellers. 

Sri Lanka has welcomed 27,213 tourists during the first 15 days of the month, comprising 12, 431 during the first week and 14,782 the balance eight days, the provisional data by the Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority (SLTDA) showed.

It is evident that the daily arrivals on the two days – Monday and Thursday that the Russian flag carrier Aeroflot is operating to Colombo, are over 2,000, against the other day’s average of over 1,100 visitors. 

The first 15-day arrivals have also pushed the cumulative figure to date to 595,471, paving a good kick-start for the winter season which continues till the end of April 2023.

Russia emerged as the top source market, reflecting 25% or 6,701 of total arrivals during the first 15 days followed by India with 16% or 4,404, the United Kingdom with 8% or 2,257, Germany with 7% or 1,924, and Australia with 5% or 1,371.

The resumption of many new international airlines and charter flights in the first two weeks of the month as well as the global promotions at the ITM Paris, Indian and WTM were the key reasons for the favourable pick-up arrival figures.

Swiss leisure airline – Edelweiss, French flag carrier – Air France, Netherlands flag carrier – Royal Dutch Airlines (KLM), and Russia’s largest charter airline – Azur Air resumed service to Colombo early this month.

India remains strong as the top tourist source market for Sri Lanka YTD with a cumulative number of arrivals at 99,891, followed by the UK with 75,059, Russia with 64,190, Germany with 47,313, France with 31,743, Australia with 24,198, Canada with 23,241, US 17,259, Maldives 14,696 and Ukraine 14,270.

As per data released by the Central Bank, earnings from the tourism sector crossed the $ 1 billion mark in October.

From January to October earnings from tourism amounted to a total of $ 1.02 billion reflecting a 546% increase from the corresponding period of last year impacted by COVID-19.

The crossing of the $ 1 billion mark follows October earnings amounting to $ 75.6 million up from $ 53.6 million in September this year. In October last year earnings amounted to $ 59.3 million.

Boost for Russian tourist  inflow via banking