Sri Lanka’s tourism industry is projecting a 15 percent increase for 2019 and forecasting the upcoming year to be the best for tourism. Chairman of The Hotels Association of Sri Lanka (THASL) Sanath Ukwatte also revealed that the 2.8 million arrivals target for 2019 was achievable.

He claimed that it was fortunate that the industry wasn’t affected by the recent political crisis except for last-minute postponements in the meetings, incentives, conferences and exhibitions (MICE) sector.

Lonely Planet declared Sri Lanka the best destination in the world for 2019 – considered an additional boost to the industry. The global promotion campaign is set to begin with the International Tourism Bourse (ITB) confab in Berlin in March 2019 for which there will be a budget of US$ 15 million.