Sri Lanka’s Consul General to Dubai, Alexi Gunasekera, has set an ambitious target to significantly increase tourist arrivals from the UAE, aiming to double the current figure of 20,000 to 40,000 this year and eventually reach 100,000 visitors annually.

Speaking at the Invest Sri Lanka Investor Forum in Dubai, Gunasekera said the strategy goes beyond tourism promotion and focuses on attracting UAE investors in sectors such as tourism, construction, logistics, and agriculture. He emphasised that Sri Lanka’s approach is centred on developmental and inclusive tourism that supports broad-based economic growth.

Gunasekera noted that Sri Lanka is recovering strongly from the impact of Cyclone Ditwah, which caused billions of dollars in damage to tourism and infrastructure last year. He said the country is now open not only for travel but also for investment and economic cooperation.

Highlighting the UAE’s diverse expatriate population and the short travel time of around four hours, Gunasekera expressed confidence in achieving the tourism targets. He pointed out that even attracting one per cent of the four million Indians living in the UAE would result in 40,000 visitors, while other key markets include Egyptians, Pakistanis, Bangladeshis, Nepalis, Filipinos, and expats from China, the UK, and Russia.

Gunasekera stressed that tourism plays a critical role in Sri Lanka’s economy, contributing to employment, infrastructure development, and livelihoods across the country. He said tourism revenue, alongside remittances from overseas workers, remains a vital pillar of the national economy and benefits even the most vulnerable communities.

He added that a stronger tourism sector would help fast-track infrastructure development and attract further foreign investment. Supporting this view, Naveen Gunawardane, Managing Director and Co-founder of Lynear Wealth Management, said there is significant potential for hotel development in resort areas outside Colombo, particularly along the southern coast and eastern regions.

Both Gunasekera and Gunawardane highlighted Sri Lanka’s natural beaches, cultural heritage, wildlife, and diverse landscapes as key strengths, noting that expanding resort areas would provide international travellers with a wider range of world-class experiences beyond the capital.