Sri Lanka Tourism - Tourist arrivals up almost 50%

Tourist arrivals increased by 47 percent from a year ago to 38,300 in April 2010 with strong growth in Western European and South Asian markets, latest data from the Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority showed. Arrivals during the first four months of the year increased by almost 50 percent to 198,709 from a year ago.

In April, arrivals from Western Europe increased by 32.7 percent to 13,915 with visitors from UK growing 29.8 percent to 6,769 and Germany tourists increasing by 13.2 perent to 2,116.

Arrivals from Eastern Europe amounted to 2,146, an increase of 53.6 percent with Russian arrivals increasing by 11 percent to 875.

Arrivals from the Middle East increased by 114 percent to 2,480 and arrivals from East Asia increased by 44.3 percent to 4,065. Arrivals from China declined by 1.2 percent to 660.

Arrivals from South Asia increased by 53 percent to 10,798 with visitors from India growing 71.4 percent to 7,732.

Arrivals from Maldives amounted to 2,337, an increase of 18.9 percent and Pakistan 560, an increase of 73.9 percent.

Visitors from Australia amounted to 2,197, a 40.3 percent increase.


source - www.island.lk