Tourist arrivals are rising at a rapid pace with the number of visitors increasing by 67.7 percent in February to 57,300 from 34,169 a year ago, official data shows.
Considering the industry’s potential to grow in post-war Sri Lanka, Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority (SLTDA) estimates that income from this sector could reach around US$ 600 million this year, from an estimated number of 600,000 total arrivals.
Tourism industry is rapidly growing and the year 2011 has been nominated as the visit Sri Lanka.
In January this year, there was a sharp increase in the number of arrivals from the Middle East, rising from 1,176 to 2,674, a growth rate of 127.4 percent.
Western Europe showed an increase of 87.8 percent in arrivals year-on-year but the numbers are still stand at around 445 arrivals.
The number of tourists from Eastern Europe grew by 55.8 percent while arrivals from South Asia increased by 28.2 percent.
The highest numbers of arrivals were from Poland attracting 1,054 with an increase of 17 percent compared year-on-year.
There was, however, a decline of arrivals from Africa and the regional countries.
The number of arrivals dropped from 56 to 46, declining by 17.9 percent.
There was also a significant downfall in the number of arrivals from Latin America and the Caribbean. It dropped by 53.1 percent from 130 to 61 year-on-year.
Treasury secretary Dr. P.B. Jayasundara voiced optimism recently about the growth of the hotel sector, reaching 100pc occupancies this year and the industry is likely to advance at a rapid pace, exceeding targets.
He also stressed the need for 30,000 more hotel rooms to keep up with growing demand.
SLTDA project planners have focused on developing 13,000 new rooms to meet the demand from increasing arrivals.
The tourism board had planned to increase the yield per visitor from the current US$80 to US$130 for 2009.
source - www.island.lk
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