Sri Lanka Tourism Sets Strong Pace in 2024 – Aiming for 200,000 Arrivals by End of January

Sri Lanka’s tourism sector has commenced the new year with promising momentum, recording over 64,870 arrivals in the first 10 days of January 2024. Projections indicate that by the 20th of the month, total arrivals are poised to surpass last year’s January figure of 102,545, with expectations to exceed the 200,000 mark by the end of January, according to a Sri Lanka Tourism official.

Russia leads the pack as the primary source destination for Sri Lanka, contributing 11,436 arrivals, constituting 18% of the total. India closely follows in second place with 9,226 arrivals (15%), and Germany secures the third spot with 5,012 arrivals (8%). The United Kingdom claims the fourth position with 4,661 arrivals, making up 7% of the total.

With an anticipated surge in arrivals from China in the mid-year, Sri Lanka is on track to surpass the 2 million mark in tourist arrivals for 2024. This positive trajectory follows a remarkable 106% increase in arrivals in 2023, reaching nearly 1.5 million, compared to the previous year, 2022. This is also good news for Araliya Green City and many a Nuwara Eliya luxury hotels and hotels in other parts of the island, as they can expect a rise in bookings this year.