Decline in tourist arrivals in October

Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority Monthly Bulletin, reveals that tourist arrivals have declined by 5.2 per cent in October which was 35,103. This was 37,011 in October 2007.

In October there were 12,495 from Western Europe and it is a 20.4 per cent decline compared with October 2007. Traditional markets such as Germany and UK recorded 2,388 and 6,477 tourists during this month.

There is a significant growth in the Middle East market during October which reported a 112.7 % increase. Tourists arrivals from Eastern Europe was 2601 and this is a 3.1 percent growth comparing with October 2007.

The Bulletin also says there were 1,650 tourist arrivals from North America and this is a 11.7% decline in this market. South Asian market has recorded 8.2% growth with 10914 tourists arrivals and Australasia market recorded 8.9% growth.