- 2.5 million tourists expected by year end
- Bid to attract high spending tourists
Amid a rejuvenated focus on revitalising Sri Lanka’s tourism industry, President Ranil Wickremesinghe embarked on an observation tour in Tangalle and Galle yesterday, underscoring the Government’s commitment to enhancing tourist facilities.
President Wickremesinghe’s visit came in the backdrop of record earnings from tourism this year (45 days) alone, which amounted to Rs.7,000 million from 306,708 tourists. The tourism surge in Sri Lanka is evident from the unprecedented 106 percent year-on-year increase in tourist arrivals, with around 9,000 visitors daily.
Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority (SLTDA) Director General Nalin Perera said that record numbers of Indians and other tourists were visiting Sri Lanka following a successful global campaign centred on the theme, “You Will Come Back for More”. With Indians currently making up over 20 percent of the tourist arrivals in Sri Lanka, the campaign targets at least 10 percent of the 50 million Indians who travel abroad annually. Australia, China, India and Russia are among the biggest groups of tourists to Sri Lanka, according to the SLTDA. Sri Lanka is planning to get one million tourists from China by end 2025.
During the tour of the South, President Wickremesinghe visited several tourist hotels, engaging with owners to understand their challenges first hand. Swift action was taken as the President addressed the concerns raised by the business community, liaising with officials on the phone to devise solutions and gather inputs on industry development strategies.
The tourism sector in Sri Lanka faced a rapid downturn due to the Covid-19 pandemic and economic challenges. However, with the Government’s new initiatives, there has been a significant surge in tourist arrivals. In 2023, 1,489,000 tourists visited Sri Lanka, marking a two-fold increase from the previous year. Building on this momentum, the Government aims to surpass the peak of 2.5 million tourists recorded in 2017, with plans under way to achieve this milestone by end 2024.
In a bid to attract high-end tourists, who spend around US$ 500 a day, the Government has rolled out infrastructure development projects and innovative tourism promotion programs. President Wickremesinghe exchanged ideas with the business community regarding these initiatives, receiving positive feedback on the transformative impact of the Government’s programs on their operations.
The President’s itinerary included visits to tourist hotspots such as Seenimodara, Dikwella, Nilwella, Hiriketiya, Weligama and Habaraduwa, as well as the Weligama Surf School along the South Coast, where he assessed their activities firsthand.
At the Unawatuna Tourism Zone, President Wickremesinghe engaged in brief conversations with foreign tourists, getting their perspectives on measures to further promote the tourism industry. He also interacted with local tourists at Tangalle and the Galle beaches during the weekend holidays, listening to their feedback and addressing their concerns.
Accompanying the President on this visit was Jeffry Dobbs, a long-term resident foreigner dedicated to enhancing tourist experiences in the region for local and international tourists.
President Wickremesinghe’s tour underscored the Government’s proactive approach to revitalising the tourism sector, fostering collaboration with stakeholders and ensuring sustainable growth in the industry.
