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Sri Lanka second most popular SAARC destination:
Tourist arrivals to reach new peak next year
by Shirajiv SIRIMANE
Sri Lanka will account for the second highest number of tourist
arrivals in the South Asian region next year.
 With
the ‘Visit Sri Lanka 2011’ initiative and co-hosting of the ICC Cricket
World Cup in 2011, Sri Lanka anticipates over 725,000 arrivals which
places the country ahead of Pakistan, Bangladesh, Nepal, Bhutan and
Maldives. Only India is ahead of Sri Lanka. Currently the Maldives
attracts around 600,000 and Sri Lanka passed this mark last week.
Sri Lanka Tourism Director General S. Kaleiselvam said that in
addition to the record number of arrivals of 625,0000 so far for the
year, the industry has also generated US$ 480 million in revenue. “This
is over a 40 percent increase as against the previous year,” he said.
He said that next year Sri Lanka is expected to pass the US $ 560
million mark in revenue. The previous highest revenue target was
achieved in 2006 when the country recorded an income of US$ 410 million
from the industry.
He said that the proposed ferry service between Sri Lanka and India
would also boost arrivals as many middle income South Indians would
patronize this service. “In addition many Sri Lankans too would use this
service and there would be an overall increase of traffic both ways,” he
said.
Reports from India said the State owned Shipping Corporation of India
has invited bids for commencing the ferry service between India and Sri
Lanka from January next year.
Sources in the shipping ministry has told PTI that the “Shipping Corp
has issued Expression of Interest for bids for the ferry service between
Tuticorin and Colombo”. Sources said that many shipping companies are
likely to come forward.
Kaleiselvam said the response from investors for the proposed
Kalpitiya Tourism Zone too was very encouraging. In addition, many
international hotel chains such as Shangri-La too have already invested
in Colombo.
A 40 room three star hotel has been opened in Jaffna while another 40
room luxury hotel will open next year in Pasikuda.Currently Sri Lanka
has 14,700 star class rooms and 5,000 guest houses. Moreover, home stay
facilities are available for 500 guests. “More rooms are currently being
added by both local and foreign investors and Sri Lanka is ready for
‘Visit Sri Lanka 2011,” he said.
More airlines are also expected to fly to Sri Lanka next year, while
those already serving Colombo plan to increase their frequencies.
The local airlines, SriLankan and Mihin, also plan to add more
destinations. This will also be a boost to tourist traffic. |
