Russian tourists lead Sri Lanka winter tourism arrivals
COLOMBO – Russian travellers are leading Sri Lanka’s tourist arrivals in the 2022 winter season as the Indian Ocean island experiences the worst currency crisis in the history of its soft-pegged central bank.
From November 1 to 24, Sri Lanka has welcomed 45,560 tourists led by 11,041 Russian holiday makers, followed by 8,075 Indians and 3,569 British nationals.
Priyantha Fernando, Chairman of Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority said the bulk was coming from Russia and they were going down south – Ahangama, Weligama, up to Matara, Tangalle, Unawatuna. T”hat area is packed,” he added.
Fernando described the arrivals as “middle market family crowd and youngsters” and not backpackers or high end tourist, but said bookings from Russia were very good.
Sri Lanka was hopeful of attracting travellers from the European and the American market for the winter season, especially long-haul holiday-makers. But European markets are going through an energy crisis and high inflation.
“Europeans have their own issues right now,” Fernando said, noting that Sri Lanka also had an issue in the German market due to a recent travel warning, which was being sorted out.
Decembers and January looks better, he said.
However, M. Shantikumar, President of Sri Lanka’s Hoteliers Association said the numbers were still low, as Sri Lanka’s key winter-season European market was going through its own financial crisis.
Officials are hopeful Sri Lanka will end the month with around 55,000 tourists, while December might see a 10-20% increase in arrivals.
Shanthikumar said the country needs to focus on direct consumer marketing as most are still not aware that the issues in island have been sorted out.
Sri Lanka has received 613,818 tourist so far this year, and is targeting 800,000 tourists for the full year.
Indians remain the top holiday makers in Sri Lanka with a total of 103,562 visiting the island up to November 24.
“With the Winter season currently on, we have our regular winter scheduled flights such as Aeroflot, Azur Air, Edelweiss, Swiss Air, Jazeera, Air France adding to the regular schedules,” Shehan Sumanasekera, Director of All Airport, Sri Lanka Airport and Aviation Services said, confident tourist arrivals during from November to April will see a rapid increase.
“None of these airline are first times, most started last year. This shows the airlines believe in the Sri Lankan market,” he said.
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