09 June 2009

Sri Lanka tourist arrivals up by 42 percent in May

 

Sri Lanka's tourist arrivals jumped by 42.3 percent in May 2010 compared to a year earlier, boosted by the defeat of terrorism which lasted over three decade in the country. Tourist arrivals rose 42.3 percent to 35,213 in May 2010 from a year earlier with strong growth in South Asian and Western European markets, data from the island's tourism office showed. In the five months to May arrivals were up 48.5 percent to 233,922 from a year earlier.

 

In May arrivals from Western Europe rose 32 percent to 10,577 at the end of the peak 'winter' season. Two of the biggest Western European markets, the United Kingdom sent 4,469 visitors and Germany 2,071 tourists, up 70.3 percent in May. Eastern Europe generated 1,112 tourists, up 11 percent with Russian arrivals up 10.3 percent to 460.  Arrivals from the fast growing Middle East market rose 64.1 percent to 1,342, and East Asian arrivals were up almost 20 percent to 3,959. Arrivals from China were up 12.8 percent to 668. Australia generated 1,569 visitors, up 31.2 percent.

 

Sri Lanka has seen a revival in tourism after a 30-year war ended on May 18, 2009. Arrivals have risen for 12 straight months since the end of the conflict last year, and were up 31.2 percent in the June 2009-May 2010 period compared to a year earlier. The hotel and travel index on the Colombo Stock Exchange has almost tripled, outpacing the rise in the overall stock index, which has more than doubled since then.

 

Source: http://www.iii.co.uk/news/?type=afxnews&articleid=7927378&subject=economic&action=article