By Mario Andree
Tourist arrivals during the first nine months of this year increased by 44 percent to 445,228 from 309,142 a year ago while arrivals in September increased by 24.6 percent to 47,339 from 37,983 in September 2009, SLTDA data showed.
During the first nine months of this year, tourists from North America increased by 67.6 percent to 29,185 from 17,416 while Latin American visitors declined by 19.8 percent to 416 from 519.
Western European tourists increased by 49.6 percent to 181,099 from 121,076 while Eastern European visitors increased by 25.6 percent to 22,623 from 18,005.
South African arrivals picked up by 35.1 percent to 1,451from 1,074 while tourists from the Middle East recorded a growth of 63.5 percent to 27,111 from 16,583.
East Asian tourists increased by 37.8 percent to 46,785 from 33,945 for the period, while South Asian tourists increased by 34.0 percent to 113,781 from 84,908.
Tourist arrivals from Australasia recorded an increase of 45.9 percent to 22,777 during the first nine months of this year, from 15,616 a year ago.
"The number of tourist arrivals is increasing but Sri Lanka has only 14,000 rooms. The number of rooms has to be increased, at least by another 20,000, in order to meet the growing demand," SLTDA recently said.
The SLTDA has taken steps to involve the bungalows and Walauwas to create more lodging capacity. At the initial stage, accommodation will be created in 100 bungalows and Walauwas, a release showed.
source - www.island.lk
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