Monthly tourist arrivals fall below 100, 000 for first time this year

2 June 2023 06:01 am Views - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}} 6 Bookmark

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May tourist arrivals recorded at 83, 309
Jan – May cumulative arrivals at 524, 486
India, Russian Federation, and Germany emerge as top three markets

Tourist arrivals to Sri Lanka fell below the 100,000 mark for the first time this year due to the drop in momentum in the month of May,

Provisional data from Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority (SLTDA) showed that in May, the island nation welcomed total of 83, 309 international visitors. When compared with the corresponding month in 2022, the arrivals increased by 175.5 percent year-on-year (YoY).

The staggering increase is due to the island nation having grappled with the massive political and economic crisis that started April 2022, which resulted in source markets issuing travel advisories against visiting Sri Lanka.

However, May recorded the lowest tourist arrivals for this year so far. Typically, through out the years, tourist arrivals take a dip in May due to it being off-season.

The month of May recorded a daily arrival average of 2,687, and a weekly arrival average of 20,847, both of which were the lowest recorded for 2023.

Accordingly, the cumulative tourist arrivals for 1 January to 31 May reached 524, 486. Ranking as the top tourism traffic generator was India, which contributed to 28 percent of the total tourist arrivals. The Russian Federation ranked second, bringing in 9 percent of the total international visitors.

Moving up the list was Germany, which emerged as the third largest source market for Sri Lanka tourism, overtaking the United Kingdom. Germany contributed 8 percent to the total tourist arrivals, whereas the UK brought in 7 percent.

Other key markets included Australia and China, accounted 5 percent each of the total tourist traffic.

Sri Lanka has been successful in realising 26 percent of its tourist arrivals target for the year. It would need to attract 1, 475, 514 international visitors in the next seven months, approximately 211,000 tourists per month to meet 2 million arrivals target.

Comments - 6

Sam W Silva Friday, 02 June 2023 09:00 AM

What do you expect. Don't you know abou1 seasonal effect?

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Jude Friday, 02 June 2023 10:36 AM

Why, what happened to those Indians and Chinese!!???

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Con Fernando Friday, 02 June 2023 04:16 PM

Sri Lanka is becoming more expensive than Europe. Certainly, just as expensive as living in Australia. All the good seafood is exported. All varieties of meat are of dubious quality. The standard of restaurants are well below par. Accomodation (unless backpacker standard) is expensive. Airfares are astronomical. Immigration officials are low-life scum. Enjoy what will be a short-lived attraction!

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Citizen k Friday, 02 June 2023 06:27 PM

There is off and on season.It is already spring in European countries,hence drop in tourism.Start working on plans to attract tourist from different parts of the world.The weather is starting to get in Arab countries.Use even the rainy season as a marketing tool.

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UMAS ALI Friday, 02 June 2023 07:22 PM

tourists please answer DO YOU WANT TO GET DANGUE FEVER AND DIE IN SRI-LANKA

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Jayampathi Sunday, 04 June 2023 09:48 PM

Usually lowest arrivals will happen in May and June. But 2 million target is way too high. If the current growth rate continues for the rest of the year, by looking at we can forecast 1.6 million tourists by l we will get 1.6 million visitors in 2023. Monthly forecast as below January 102,545 February 107,639 March 125,495 April 105,498 May 83,309 June 95,593 July 159,245 August 155,953 September 123,826 October 135,456 November 169,090 December 242,914 TOTAL 1,606,562

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