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| Sunday, 24 July 2005 |
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Business |  |
| News Business Features Editorial
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Tourism revenue up 78.6% to Rs. 2,526 m in 2004 by Surekha Galagoda The government has collected Rs 2,526.6 million as revenue from tourism in 2004 compared to Rs 1,414.5 million in 2003. There was a staggering increase of 78.6 percent following the Tourism and Development Levy from the latter part of 2003.
The main contributors to the total revenue collected in 2004 were Tourism Development Levy Rs 780.4 million, Embarkation tax Rs 566.2 million and the Cultural Triangle entrance fees Rs 543.1 million. BMICH hosted 642 national and four international conferences in 2004 and earned Rs 70.7 million compared to 594 national and four international conferences hosted in 2003 which earned Rs 61.8 million. In 2003, 650 foreign delegates participated while the number increased to 1,550 last year. National Museums earned Rs 1.5 million in 2004 by the sale of tickets to foreign visitors compared to Rs 1.9 million earned in 2003. A total of 23,883 foreigners visited the museums in 2004 compared to 19,213 in 2003. The Dehiwela Zoo earned of Rs 119.5 million from 252,445 foreigners last year compared to Rs 42.3 million the pervious year from 217,930 visitors. The sale of tickets at the Botanical Gardens in Peradeniya, Hakgala and Gampaha earned Rs 70.7 million last year from 238,689 foreign visitors. The sale of tickets at national parks in Yala, Wilpattu, Kumana, Udawalawa, Horton Plains, Bundala, Wasgamuwa and Gal Oya earned Rs 113.8 million from 89,033 foreign visitors. UK and India accounted for over one-third of the total tourist traffic to the country last year. For the first time these two markets-each surpassed the 100,000 arrival mark last year. According to the Annual Statistical Report of Sri Lanka Tourism 2004, a publication of the Ceylon Tourist Board, the top ten markets for the country were Germany, France, Australia, Netherlands, Japan, Italy, USA and Maldives apart from UK and India. The motivational pattern of tourists visiting the country has undergone significant changes with the continued increase in tourist traffic since 2002. In 2004 the number of tourists visiting the country on pleasure decreased. The largest proportion of business tourists (private and official) came from Asia with Western Europe taking second place. The motivational pattern of tourists from the neighbouring market India is different from all other markets. Pleasure 47.6 percent, Business 26.6 percent, Meetings and Conventions 7.6 percent, visiting friends and relations 11.4 percent and other purposes 7 percent. The growth momentum of tourism which started as a result of the peace process in 2002 together with the promotional activities of the CTB continued in 2004. These measures helped tourist arrivals reach a new high of 566,202, an increase of 13.1 percent over the previous year. The report states that if not for the tsunami that affected the east and the south of the country which brought the industry to a temporary halt the year would have ended with over 570,000 arrivals. In 2003 the tourist arrivals passed the half million mark in the backdrop of worldwide recession in tourism movements. It is remarkable for a small country such as ours, a spokesman for the Tourism Board said. ######### German travellers rate SriLankan among the best German travellers have again rated SriLankan Airlines to be among the best in Economy class travel, acknowledging the consistent standards of excellence of Sri Lanka's national carrier year after year. A survey of 5,500 travellers by the popular travel magazine Reise and Preise (Travel and Price) ranked SriLankan Airlines fourth globally among 100 airlines. SriLankan topped the poll the previous year. Reise and Preise said: "SriLankan Airlines' average marks are very good, and proof of a very good and consistent performance." Sri Lanka has long been a popular destination for German tourists, who account for one of the largest nations of origin of visitors to Sri Lanka, behind India and the UK. Readers of Reise and Preise magazine are experienced travellers. A third of those who voted have flown more than 30 times in the last ten years, and another third had flown 16-30 times in the same period. The poll was very comprehensive, with readers being asked to evaluate seven criteria including cabin conditions, seat comfort, inflight catering, cabin staff service and entertainment systems. SriLankan has a globally recognised reputation for excellence. Its accolades include the "World's Friendliest Cabin Crew," "Best Airline" in the Central Asia/Subcontinent region for four consecutive years, "World's Best In-flight Entertainment," and First Runner-up for "World's Best Cabin Staff." |
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These were collected as direct and indirect taxes, fees and levies and
profits from business undertakings. 
