TRAVELLERS FLOCK TO THE ISLE

Fazmina Imamudeen is heartened by the recent surge in tourist arrivals

In the first month of this year, Sri Lanka played host to more than 200,000 tourists exploring its charms. As for 2023, the total number of visitors soared to nearly 1.5 million, reflecting an impressive growth compared to the previous 12 months.

The Ministry of Tourism has celebrated this accomplishment and is working on further developmental initiatives to attract more tourists to the country this year.

Sri Lanka’s tourism industry is envisioning a bold revival after a three year hiatus. Recent developments paint a vivid picture of growth in the hospitality sector, which is helping to shape the tourism industry’s upward trajectory.

The state minister for tourism foresees a robust comeback for the island and projects a welcoming embrace for a projected two million tourists in 2024 with an estimated revenue of US$ 6 billion.

This promising projection builds upon the foundation of a remarkable 106 percent surge in tourist arrivals in 2023. Despite falling slightly short of the annual target of 1.5 million visitors, the recorded arrivals reached a commendable 1,487,303 and marked a substantial increase from the previous year’s number of 719,978.

December noted a surge in arrivals to over 210,000, which was an encouraging increase from the slightly under 92,000 recorded in the last month of 2022. However, it’s worth noting that this number remains lower than the peak of over 253,000 arrivals in December 2018 – that marked the highest number for Sri Lanka’s monthly tourist footfall recorded so far.

Reverting to 2024, 15 January stood out as a high point with a record-breaking 8,541 visitors on a single day. This is evidence of the escalating appeal that Sri Lanka is gaining as a coveted tourist destination.

India has emerged as the leading contributor to tourist arrivals with an impressive count of some 32,000 visitors in January. This underscores the enduring cultural ties between the two nations, and the allure of Sri Lanka for its giant neighbour across the Palk Strait.

And the island extended its hospitality to more than 28,000 travellers from Russia, over 15,000 from the UK and around 12,500 from Germany, reflecting the diverse global interest in Sri Lanka’s tourism offering.

However, some challenges have surfaced and cast a shadow over the tropical island. Reports of increased ticket prices at many frequented tourist sites have triggered apprehension. Meanwhile, the Ministry of Tourism has initiated an internal investigation to address these reports.

Tourism minister Harin Fernando has been conducting discussions with President Ranil Wickremesinghe to tackle any issues that may be impacting tourists. This underscores a dedication to ensuring a smooth and hassle free experience for visitors to Sri Lanka.

And in an effort to confront challenges headfirst, initiatives are also underway to establish support programmes for tourists who encounter obstacles during their stay in the island.

Additionally, there are forthcoming special projects geared to improve the travel experiences of tourists at cultural sites, waterfalls, resort towns such as Ella and Bandarawela, and various other tourism hubs throughout the country.

The current phase marks a resurgence of tourism in Sri Lanka, and underscores its commitment to develop the industry and contribute substantially to the nation’s foreign exchange earnings. As the island nation welcomes global travellers, the journey ahead promises welcome growth and renewed dedication to providing guests with warm and memorable experiences.

Resilience plays a crucial role in Sri Lanka’s tourism revival and helps navigate challenges with an unyielding spirit. And the country continues to showcase the determination of its people in the face of multiple challenges.

Sri Lanka is more than merely a beautiful destination; its people are proof of human tenacity and the will to overcome obstacles.