Tourist arrivals for March cross 50,000 mark

• Total arrivals reach 232,089 for year so far
• India replaces Russia as largest source market

The tourist arrivals for the second week of March have crossed the 50,000 mark, bringing the total arrivals to the country for the year to 232,089.

March second week saw 53,255 international visitors enter the country. The arrivals include the 253 French female athletes, who arrived in the island on March 14 to participate in the biggest women’s adventure challenge in the world. 

Data shared by the Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority (SLTDA) show that India has replaced the Russian Federation as the largest source market for Sri Lanka Tourism.

For the January 1 to March 15 period, India ranks as the biggest contributor to the tourist traffic of the country, with 35,627 visitors. Russia ranks the second, with 35,064 visitors and the United Kingdom ranks the third, with 23,702 visitors.

The dip in arrivals from Russia is due to the ongoing conflict with Ukraine.
Other notable markets include Germany, Ukraine, France, Poland, Kazakhstan, Australia and Canada.