First week of November records over 9,500 tourists
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A record of 9,545 tourists have arrived in the country
within the first week of November, reinforcing the industry’s optimism for the
winter season.
As per provisional data, from 1-7 November, a total of 3,107
tourists from India arrived, becoming the top source market, followed by 774
from Russia and 764 from the UK. There were also travellers from Germany,
Pakistan, the Maldives, France, Canada, the US and Switzerland in the first
week of the month.
“The number of tourists visiting the country is steadily
increasing with the easing travel restrictions, air connectivity and
market-centric promotions during the past few months. It is great to see the
industry bouncing back,” Tourism Minister Prasanna Ranatunga told the media
With the arrivals up to 7 November added, the cumulative
tourist arrivals since the reopening of borders on 21 January is 70,633.
The initial arrivals figure was released by the Tourism
Ministry yesterday, and industry sources said the number was the highest
recorded within a week in the post-pandemic tourism resumption. They also said
that if the trend continues till April, the path to recovery will be
fast-tracked.
As of now, October saw the highest tourist arrivals of
22,771, propelling the first 10-months’ figure to 60,695.
Sri Lanka last week saw two main international airlines, Air
France and Swiss Air, resuming scheduled flights to Colombo in a major
breakthrough after many years.
Considering the growing interest from global travellers to
visit the country, Minister Ranatunga said the tourism industry is looking
forward to a busy winter season
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