Another 3 million awaited in 2026
Sri Lankan tourism authorities will for the second consecutive year target three million tourist arrivals and at the same time increase the revenue as well.
During the first quarter of this year the government has plans to increase arrivals by going on with the visa free entry for all 40 countries, Tourism Minister Vijitha Herath said at a media briefing held in Colombo this week.
He noted that they hope to target 3 million arrivals by the end of this year and hope to achieve this number as a minimum target.
Compared to last year’s US$3.2 billion revenue the authorities are hoping to increase this figure by the end of this year.
In a bid to carry out this Sri Lanka Tourism Authority Chairman Buddhika Hewawasam said that they will be looking at increasing the number of markets for the summer months.
In this respect they will target Australia, New Zealand, Europe, Singapore, Malaysia and Thailand, he said.
However, relevant infrastructure required to cater to this increase in arrivals will only be ready in two years.
The 30 per cent increase in tourist traffic to the country will need to see the new airport terminal at the Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA) ready. But the work on this project undertaken by the Japanese authorities under JICA will complete in only two years, the minister said.
He also said that the promotion to be carried out to generate these increased numbers is likely to be held this year.
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