In the first half of 2024, nearly 200,000 Indian tourists visited Sri Lanka, reinforcing India as the top source market for Sri Lankan tourism. From January to July 7, 2024, Indian visitors accounted for 18% of all tourist arrivals in Sri Lanka, significantly boosting the island’s tourism sector.
Sri Lanka Tourism is ramping up its efforts to attract more Indian travelers through various promotional strategies. One notable event was a networking evening on the Ganges in Kolkata on July 10, 2024. This event featured key players from the Sri Lankan tourism industry, including the Sri Lanka Convention Bureau (SLCB), the Sri Lanka Tourism Promotion Bureau (SLTPB), and over 30 destination management companies and service providers. This initiative aimed to strengthen ties between Sri Lanka and India and foster beneficial partnerships in tourism.
In June 2024, Sri Lanka conducted B2B roadshows and networking events in Indore, Vadodara, and Surat, aiming to attract visitors from Madhya Pradesh and Gujarat. These events highlighted Sri Lanka’s diverse attractions and reinforced its appeal as a year-round destination.
Harin Fernando, Sri Lanka’s Minister of Tourism, Lands, Sports, and Youth Affairs, expressed gratitude to India for its continued support. He highlighted Sri Lanka’s economic progress, noting that tourism earnings exceeded USD 2 billion in 2023 and USD 1.25 billion in the first four months of 2024. The extension of visa-free entry for Indian tourists is expected to help achieve the goal of attracting 2.5 million tourists in 2024.
Chalaka D Gajabahu, Chairman of the Sri Lanka Tourism Promotion Bureau, emphasized the growth of Sri Lanka’s tourism sector beyond beach tourism, including sports, culture, spirituality, and history. Sri Lanka’s participation in major travel trade shows and events in India and globally has solidified its presence in the tourism market.
Thisum Jayasuriya, Chairman of the Sri Lanka Convention Bureau, highlighted the growth of Sri Lanka as a MICE (Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, and Exhibitions) destination. The MICE sector accounted for 9.5% of tourist arrivals in 2023, with expectations to grow to 12% in 2024. The goal is to achieve earnings of over USD 550 million from MICE tourism in 2024.
With 95 flights connecting Sri Lanka to nine Indian cities, travel between the two countries is seamless. The integration of India’s UPI for transactions and the ability to spend in Rupees further enhance the convenience of Sri Lanka as a travel destination.
As Sri Lanka continues to welcome Indian tourists with open arms, the future of tourism between the two countries looks promising and prosperous.
Source-Travelworld.com
