First 10 days of August draw over 51,000 tourists

• Cumulative arrivals near 820,000 mark
• India remains top source market followed by UK, China, France, Germany 
• July tourism earnings record $ 219 m, highest monthly income so far
• Tourism Minister reveals fresh initiative aimed at utilising unoccupied houses to facilitate lodging for Asia Cup cricket fans

Sri Lanka has welcomed over 51,500 tourists during the first 10 days of the month, propelling the impetus to reach the monthly target of 149,075 arrivals. The country received 51,594 tourists during the first 10 days of the month, comprising 35,775 during the first week, and 15,819 in the balance three days.

The first 10-day arrivals have also pushed the cumulative figure to date to 819,507, driving the impetus to continue in the year 2023.

India continues to grow reflecting 18% or 9,146, followed by the UK with 13% or 6,939, China with 7% or 3,707, France with 6% or 3,249 and Germany with 6% or 3,155.

As per the latest Central Bank data released yesterday, in the first seven months of 2023, tourism earnings were at $ 1.09 billion, reflecting a 43% increase from the corresponding period of last year, whilst July earnings stood at $ 219 million, showcasing the highest monthly increase thus far. 

Tourism Minister Harin Fernando expressed confidence in the strategies implemented by Sri Lanka Tourism, both in the short term and the long term, to achieve the goal of welcoming two million arrivals by the end of the year. 

He also said that preparations are in progress to launch a fresh initiative aimed at utilising unoccupied apartments and luxury houses. This initiative aims to efficiently manage and offer lodging options for cricket enthusiasts who will be arriving to witness the Asia Cup, starting at the end of this month.

With increasing tourist arrivals and innovative strategies in place, analysts opined that the tourism industry remains on a path of recovery and rejuvenation, indicating a positive trajectory for the sector in the coming winter season.

Source: First 10 days of August draw over 51,000 tourists | Daily FT