Harin thanks Govt for continuing efforts to reach 2 million tourists in 2024

27 December 2024 09:19 am Views - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}} 10 Bookmark

CHATURANGA PRADEEP SAMARAWICKRAMA Follow

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Former Tourism Minister Harin Fernando extended special thanks to the current government for continuing the efforts initiated by the previous government to achieve a target of two million tourist arrivals.

In a video posted on his official Facebook page, the former Minister expressed his delight in seeing the predictions for 2024 become a reality. He highlighted how hard work had paid off, starting from zero tourists during the previous government.

"We limited airlines flying into Sri Lanka and ended 2022 with 709,000 arrivals. As predicted, the target for tourist arrivals in 2023 was 1.5 million, and we achieved 1,489,000 arrivals," he noted.

He also said that the efforts initiated in September marked the beginning of a long-term plan, and the 2 million target for 2024 was achieved with the collective efforts of all involved. He also mentioned that 2018 recorded the highest-ever tourist arrivals with 2.8 million visitors.

The former Minister extended his best wishes to the new government and the Tourism Ministry, urging them to continue the work initiated. He thanked the Tourism Industry, the Tourism Development Authority, the Tourism Promotion Bureau, and the new management, requesting them to aim for the next milestone of 2.5 million tourist arrivals in 2025.

Comments - 10

Terrence K Friday, 27 December 2024 09:35 AM

The increase in tourists never happened overnight within two months great effort was done by you and the team to achieve this target. The existing politicians are only plucking the fruits the seed of which was planted meticulously. Don't try to curry favour with the existing lot of politicians who are only piggybacking on the strategies that were in force during RW's time!!!!!

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Mina Friday, 27 December 2024 12:36 PM

The theory is you scratch my back I Scratch your back.this man made lot of foreign tours using his ministry post and that era is over , boy

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Dilakshan Seneviratne Friday, 27 December 2024 02:47 PM

Better to find something else to do, rather than talk of past doings. Say sorry for playing out the poor masses. Robbing people’s money and enjoying may be fine for people like Terrence.

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Your Governing Teams Both Collapsed and Rebuilt It Friday, 27 December 2024 09:42 AM

Yes, your team did build back the foundation which your previous leadership team made a mockery of. Amount of malpractices and corruption made the tourism industry suffer and the consequences were total collapse. The Current tourism governing teams needs to place greater emphasis on improving the experiences of tourist to SL. Lots of hard work needed as most countries are also eyeing that tourist Dollar. Majority of Asian countries are already enjoying pre pandemic tourism arrivals this year and expect a better percentage in 2025.

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Kaka Friday, 27 December 2024 10:03 AM

KATUSSAH. TRY TO CHANGE HIS COLORS.

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Roshanaly Friday, 27 December 2024 11:20 AM

Changing colour to avoid CID questioning him.

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Russel Harmmer Friday, 27 December 2024 11:55 AM

Harin please don't conn. You have not done anything to increase the tourists, you only went to other countries on jolly trips. Even now stop talking nonsense and get lost, leaving the Govt. to do their best.

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Joshua Friday, 27 December 2024 01:42 PM

Harin a spent force now. We are not interested in his stories anymore

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Jayampathi Friday, 27 December 2024 07:49 PM

Beginning of the year our target was to bring 2.4 million visitors, which is 2018 number. Now we are settling with below 2.1 million. In actual terms we are failed on our target. Nothing to celebrate.

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Ranjith Friday, 27 December 2024 10:28 PM

Nothing new 2016,2017 and 2018 2 .million tourists arrived in Srilanka, due to the economic situation in the country tourists arrivals drop drastically, otherwise Srilanka would have achieved 4 million tourists arrivals this year.

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