Tourism Record in September: arrivals jump 35.9% to cross 1.3 million

In the backdrop of Sri Lanka's informal tourism sector consuming almost half of the tourist arrivals, the September tourism numbers jumped to an all-time record growth of 35.9% to cross 1.3 millions. The European tourists registered a growth of 11.2% whilst the Asian travellers accounting for 45.2% grew by a commanding 27.9% to reach 595,583 visitors. This indicate the changing products range that Sri Lanka will be challenged with in the future said Sri Lanka Lanka Tourism Promotions Bureau Chairman Dr Rohantha Athukorala. He emphasized that rather than focussing on numbers Sri Lanka must generate quality tourism which is where the 2016 marketing plan will target he said.