October tourist arrivals up 28%

20 November 2013 03:42 am Views - 4245

Tourist arrivals to the country during the month of October rose 27.9 percent from a year ago to 102, 805. The cumulative arrivals during January-October rose 16.8 percent Year-on-Year to 904, 015.

Sri Lanka saw increased number of visitors from Western European countries during October - up 17.9 percent YoY to 28, 662. Visitors from the UK rose 6.9 percent YoY to 9, 375 while number of German tourists visiting the country rose 26.5 percent YoY to 6, 812.

Visitors from Sweden saw a sudden 250.8 percent YoY hike to 1, 042 while the number of French visitors rose 21.1 percent 4, 208.

Tourists from Eastern Europe during October increased 59 percent YoY to 11, 206, led by 89.4 percent YoY increase of Russian tourists to 4, 847. Visitors from Ukraine also rose 40 percent YoY to 3,639.

Visitor from Middle East during October also rose 45.7 percent YoY to 7, 624. Chinese tourists during the month rose 163.5 percent YoY to 2, 200 while Japanese arrivals rose 49.9 percent YoY to 6, 605.

Tourists from India increased 15 percent YoY to 20, 307 with arrivals from Maldives improving 86.3 percent YoY to 6, 538.

Sri Lanka targets 1.25 million tourists end of this year with a broader target of 2.5 million tourists by 2016.