Lanka records tourist boom

Research and statistics on tourism has revealed that tourist arrivals has increased tremendously this month compared to last month, Information Department sources said.

According to statistics, 1,52,495 tourists had visited Sri Lanka from January to May in 2009. So far this year tourist arrivals has recorded over 2,33, 922 which is an increase of 49 percent.

Sri Lanka is witnessing an upswing in tourism. The key positive factor in tourism is the main tourists frequenting has been from western Europe.

Their arrivals showed a marked increase of 47 percent this year. Last year only 64,375 tourists had come from Western Europe. But this year that figure has so far been increased up to 94, 359.

UK, France, Germany and Spain led the tourist arrivals this year, with France now becoming the largest inbound tourism market to Sri Lanka during the current year. Tourist arrivals from France has increased by 79 percent while Spain recorded a 40 percent increase.

Statistics further indicate that visitors from south Asia galloped to record an increase of 55 percent. Indians arrivals had bounced back by 80 percent recording 44,549 arrivals.

Last year it was only 24, 775. The increase of Australians too are high which boasted a 40 percent growth.

Following the defeat of terrorism which was prevalent for over 30 years, Sri Lanka expects an resurgence in all spheres of tourism. Accordingly, the Government expects to raise the tourist arrivals by at least 2.5 million before the end of this year.

Courtesy development.lk