Tourist arrivals to Sri Lanka have surpassed 436,000 so far this year, reflecting a strong rebound in the country’s tourism sector, Deputy Minister of Tourism Ruwan Ranasinghe said on Thursday (19).
He noted that 436,000 visitors arrived between January 1 and February 15, marking a significant increase compared to the same period last year.
Speaking at a media briefing in Colombo, Ranasinghe announced that the government plans to launch a global tourism promotion campaign targeting 15 international markets this year, with an allocation of nearly Rs. 2 billion.
“We have been able to position Sri Lanka’s image very positively on the global stage,” he said, adding that the surge in arrivals demonstrates renewed international confidence in the destination.
Ranasinghe also highlighted the role of international sporting events, particularly T20 cricket tournaments, in boosting tourist interest, especially in Colombo.
He acknowledged that rising demand has led to high hotel occupancy rates in the capital, with some properties nearing full capacity as room bookings continue to surge.
