Sri Lanka crossed 512,281 tourist arrivals in the first half of 2013
(1H13) edging closer to the targeted 1.25 million arrivals by the end of
this year.
Western Europe remained the highest source of arrivals by region at
196,355 during the first half, reflecting a growth of 13.8 percent
year-on-year (YoY).
Arrivals from the United Kingdom increased by 15.2 percent YoY to
55,286 while German arrivals grew 14.4 percent YoY to 36,700. France
accounted for a further 30,049 arrivals, amounting to an 8.5 percent
increase.
While remaining the single highest source of arrivals by country,
Indian arrivals declined by a marginal 1.7 percent YoY to record 83,981
arrivals during the half.
In total, the South Asian region recorded 125,614 arrivals, up 7.6
percent YoY, while East Asia posted 69,310 arrivals during the half,
against a previous 56,497 in 2012.
Arrivals from China displayed a notable 72.3 percent YoY increase
crossing 16,582 during the half while Japanese tourists accounted for
13,458 arrivals, up 31.9 percent YoY.
Meanwhile, arrivals from Eastern Europe displayed a 21 percent YoY
growth to post 37,697 arrivals. Russia was the leading source of
arrivals from the region with 15,869 tourists, against 12,364 in the
preceding year. Tourists from Ukraine accounted for a further 10,995
arrivals, up 28.6 percent YoY.
China, India and Russia are designated as potential emerging markets for
Sri Lanka’s growing tourism sector with the three countries being the
subject of promotional campaigns from the Sri Lanka Tourism Promotion
Bureau.
Tourism from North America grew by 11.7 percent YoY recording 30,563
arrivals while arrivals from the Middle East remained relatively flat at
24,497 arrivals, against 24,104 in 2012.
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