Published on : Thursday, January 3, 2019
In 2016, the growth in arrivals was 14 per cent and in 2017 the arrivals grew at pale 3.2 per cent.
Tourist arrivals during December reached a record 253,169, up 3.5 per cent from a year earlier. In terms of arrivals, February, March, June and November recorded the highest growth rates in 2018, while December had the highest number of tourists.
Tourism Development Minister John Amaratunga attributed the missing of the 2.5 million target to post-Oct. 26, 2018 political upheaval.
Amaratunga believes that Colombo has the opportunity to be seen as a hub for entertainment in the future, with the ever-burgeoning investment and development of tourism here.
He added, “Indubitably, Sri Lanka has many diverse attractions that appeals to a wide spectrum of travellers from across the world.”
They are developing and sustaining the natural resources and attractions that are bountiful from a local standpoint. However, it is also important to consider expanding the local offering when it comes to the aspect of entertainment.