India tops tourism arrivals overtaking China

Tourist arrivals to Sri Lanka in January 2016, saw a 24.3% increase as against the previous year’s corresponding month. By end January there were 194,280 arrivals.

After a long period India once again topped the arrivals list overtaking China. The number of arrivals from India grew 26 percent to 28,895 in January 2016 from a year ago while that from China. Chinese arrivals recorded 26,083 which is an all time record 122.3%. United Kingdom remained the biggest contributor from Europe with a 21% increase and accounting 16,253 visitors last month while Germany grew 23% to 12,760. Gulf arrivals was disappointing accounting 10,109.

Despite direct air services Kuwait arrivals saw a minus growth. However in comparison to 2015 January it has seen a 14% increase. Both Thailand and Pakistan arrivals also saw a major decline with arrivals dropping.

Also despite the former Sri Lanka Tourism Promotions Bureau officials spending millions of rupees and conducting road shows and going on tours,the Russian market also saw a dip in arrivals. (SS) 

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