Lifting travel restrictions to North, a fillip to tourism

by Lalin FERNANDOPULLE

The number of tourist arrivals is on the rise recording over 40 percent growth on a month-on-month basis up to May this year compared to the corresponding period last year, Sri Lanka Tourism Promotion Bureau (SLTPB) sources said.

The number of arrivals up to May was up 40.2 percent to 327,902 compared to 233,922 recorded during the corresponding period in 2010.

According to sources the number of tourist arrivals in May were 48,943, a 39 percent growth compared to 35,213 recorded during the corresponding month last year.

The highest number of arrivals was recorded in April this year with 63,835 visitors, a 66.7 percent growth compared to 38,300 recorded in the corresponding month last year. The number of visitors in February dropped to 65,797 from 74, 197 in January which recorded a 46.2 percent growth compared to the corresponding month in 2010.

SLTPB sources said that the 'Visit Sri Lanka' tourism promotion campaign has paid dividends to the industry which is expecting tourist arrivals to surpass 750,000 this year.

The 'Visit Sri Lanka' campaign was launched in January under the theme "Tread the Beaches". The theme for June is Bliss. Sri Lanka's attractive beaches, bio-diversity, culture and hospitality have helped woo visitors to the country.

Sri Lanka Tourism has set up a central sewage plant at the Pasikudah Tourism Development Zone with an investment of US$ 196 million.

The agreement for the project was signed between officials of SLTPB and Veolia and Puritas (Pvt) Ltd.

Many hotel chain operators in the country are eyeing properties in the East which is a prime location for tourism to set up hotels.

The Maalu Maalu Resort and Spa was the first hotel set up in the Pasikudah Tourism Development Zone by the Connaisance Group.

Sources said that lifting of travel curbs for foreign visitors to the North after 30 years is a fillip to the tourism industry which is reaping the benefits of peace.

Foreign passport holders could travel to the North without special approval.

He said that many hotels are undergoing refurbishment and building more rooms to cater to the growing tourism market. Sri Lanka Tourism expects to increase the number of hotel rooms to around 40,000 to accommodate more visitors.

The Hong Kong based hotel chain operator Shangri La is at the final stage of designing its two hotels in Sri Lanka estimated to cost around $ 630 million.

SLTPB sources said that the ferry service between Sri Lanka and India would help attract more Indian tourists to Sri Lanka. India is a major market for MICE tourism in Sri Lanka. Graphic