Tourist arrivals increased in the month of February by 27% to 83,549 compared to the same period last year. According to data released by the Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority 169,423 tourists have arrived in the country during the first two months of the year.  This is an increase by 21% compared to the same period last year.

 

 

Indian tourists have topped the list with 11,342, recording an increase of 12.6%, UK has become second with 8,762 arrivals.  However this is a decrease by 9% compared to the same period last year.  Germany, France, and Russia occupy the third, fourth and fifth positions respectively with 7,654, 6,378 and 2,998 arrivals.

 

 

On a regional basis the largest number of tourists had arrived from the Western Europe with 38,364 arrivals recording an increase of 23.4% compared to the same period last year. Arrivals from South Asia were 15,504 recording an increase of 14.1%,  East Asia 10,256, Eastern Europe 7,882 and North America 4,166. Tourists from Middle East numbered 3,675, Australia 3,204, Africa 379 and Latin America and the Caribbean 119.

 

 

On a percentage wise the largest growth has been recorded from the Philippines, which marked 703.5% followed by Switzerland with an increase of 170.8% and Thailand with 128.2%. The number of tourists arrived from these countries amounted to 458 from the Philippines, 2,345 from Switzerland and 543 from Thailand. (niz)