Tourist arrivals for 2022 recorded 719,978, more than trebling the 2021 figure of 194,495 tourism receipts. The revenue from the leisure industry also saw a huge leap from 273.6 million recorded in 2021 to more than USD 1.4 billion last year. The best two months for arrivals in 2022 were in March where 106,500 tourists visited Sri Lanka and in February which saw 96,507 arrivals. Sri Lanka attracted 91,961 last month which is the third highest month for 2022.
India was the top destination for Sri Lanka for 2022 with 123,004 arrivals while the Russian Federation with 91,272, the United Kingdom with 85,187. Germany with 55,542, France with 35,467 and Australia with 30,924 were the top six destinations for Sri Lanka. Canada with 26,845 and the United States with 22,230 were the seventh and eight best destinations for Sri Lanka.
For the month of December 2022 Russian Federation with 19,963 arrivals was the top destination while India with 17,350 was the second while the United Kingdom with 7,879 visitors to Sri Lanka followed. The fourth best market for Sri Lankan Tourism for 2022 December was Australia with 5,158 and Germany (4,984) and United States (3,638) followed.
Several Cruises from Europe and USA also boosted the arrival figure with over 5,000 tourists using Colombo, Trincomalee and Hambantota Ports to take excursions to Sri Lanka. In addition Red Wings from Russia and several new airlines also touched down in Colombo and Mattala airports helping to increase arrivals.
The Indian arrivals were also increased by the introduction of the Jaffna Chennai alliance air flight with four weekly frequencies. The proposed ferry service from Kankesanturai to India too would boost the Indian arrivals from next March. (SS)
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