Sri Lanka marked a significant achievement in its tourism industry as the country welcomed its milestone tourist at the Bandaranaike International Airport. Prof Ruwan Chaminda Ranasinghe, Deputy Minister of Tourism, and Buddhika Hewawasam, Chairman of the Sri Lanka Tourism Promotion Bureau (SLTPB), were present at the airport to commemorate the occasion. A special ceremony organised by the SLTPB at the Silk Route Lounge highlighted the country’s efforts to celebrate its tourism recovery.
This year marks the fourth instance of annual tourist arrivals surpassing 2 million, following similar milestones in 2016, 2017, and 2018. However, 2024 has set a new record, with the highest number of annual tourist arrivals since 2018. As of December 26, a remarkable 195,127 tourists have visited Sri Lanka this month alone, with projections suggesting the figure will exceed 250,000 by the end of December. The last time monthly arrivals crossed the 250,000 mark was in February 2019, with 252,033 visitors.
Sri Lanka’s tourism industry, which faced severe setbacks due to the Easter Sunday attacks, the COVID-19 pandemic, and an economic crisis, has shown remarkable recovery under the current government. Over the past three months, 515,192 tourists have arrived in the country, signalling a strong resurgence in visitor confidence.
The Sri Lankan government has implemented several measures to boost tourism, including resolving online visa issues, ensuring the safety of foreign tourists, and addressing challenges faced by service providers. Additionally, the introduction of free visa facilities for 39 countries is a strategic move in Sri Lanka’s ambitious plan to attract 3 million tourists by 2025.
, were present at the airport to commemorate the occasion. A special ceremony organised by the SLTPB at the Silk Route Lounge highlighted the country’s efforts to celebrate its tourism recovery.){kind=link}