Sri Lanka (Commonwealth Union)_ In a concerted effort to rejuvenate Sri Lanka’s tourism industry, President Ranil Wickremesinghe embarked on a tour of observation in Tangalle and Galle, highlighting the government’s dedication to enhancing tourist amenities. President Wickremesinghe’s visit coincided with a period of unprecedented earnings from tourism, totaling Rs. 7,000 million within just 45 days, with 306,708 tourists contributing to this figure. This surge in tourism is reflected in a remarkable 106 percent year-on-year increase in tourist arrivals, equating to approximately 9,000 visitors daily.
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Nalin Perera, Director General of the Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority (SLTDA), noted the influx of Indian and other tourists, attributing it to a successful global campaign themed “You Will Come Back for More”. With Indians constituting over 20 percent of tourist arrivals, the campaign aims to capture at least 10 percent of the 50 million Indian outbound travelers annually. According to SLTDA data, noteworthy tourist groups to Sri Lanka include those from Australia, China, India, and Russia, with plans in place to attract one million tourists from China by the end of 2025.
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During his tour of the southern region, President Wickremesinghe visited many tourist establishments, engaging directly with proprietors to comprehend and address their challenges. Prompt action was taken as he addressed the issues brought up by the business community, coordinating with officials via phone to formulate solutions and solicit feedback on industry development strategies. The Sri Lankan tourism sector experienced a precipitous decline due to the Covid-19 pandemic and economic adversities. However, with the implementation of new government initiatives, there has been a notable resurgence in tourist arrivals. In 2023, Sri Lanka welcomed 1,489,000 tourists, which is a twofold increase from the previous year. Additionally, inspired by this momentum and with aspirations to achieve this milestone by the end of 2024, the government hopes to surpass the peak of 2.5 million tourists recorded in 2017.
In an effort to attract high-spending tourists, averaging around US$ 500 per day, the government has initiated infrastructure development projects and innovative tourism promotion programs. President Wickremesinghe also shared insights with the business community on these initiatives, receiving positive feedback regarding the transformative impact of government programs on their operations. The President’s schedule included visits to popular tourist destinations along the South Coast and Seenimodara, Dikwella, Nilwella, Hiriketiya, Weligama, and Habaraduwa, as well as the Weligama Surf School, where he assessed activities firsthand.
At the Unawatuna Tourism Zone, President Wickremesinghe engaged in brief discussions with foreign tourists, gathering new ideas and opinions on further boosting the tourism industry. He also met the local tourists holidaying at Tangalle and Galle beaches during the weekend, attentively listening to their feedback and addressing their issues. Accompanying the President on this excursion was Jeffry Dobbs, a longstanding resident foreigner committed to enhancing tourist experiences for both local and international visitors in the region. Overall, President Wickremesinghe’s tour highlighted the government’s proactive strategy for rejuvenating the tourism sector, promoting stakeholder engagement, and assuring sustainable growth in the industry.
