As of 30 June 2021, a total of 16,908 of tourists had visited Sri Lanka for this year, which constitutes a decline of 96.7% from last year when 507,311 tourists had visited the country from January to 18 March before borders were shut following the first outbreak of Covid-19 in the island.
According to the monthly report issued by the Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority (SLTDA), the total number of international tourist arrivals to Sri Lanka during June 2021 was 1,614. The sharp contraction in arrivals observed after the month of April continued in the months of May and June owing to the closure of borders and travel restrictions from specific countries such as India and South Africa, and from regions such as the South American region.
Europe became the largest source of tourist traffic to Sri Lanka with 69.7% of the total traffic received in June 2021. Asia and the Pacific accounted for 17% of the total traffic, the Americas 11.6%, the Middle East 1.3%, and Africa 0.3%.
In comparison to the arrivals up to June last year, all regions have recorded a decline in arrivals.
The emergence of new variants resulting in escalating Covid-19 cases, strict travel restrictions including mandatory testing, quarantines, and local lockdowns have contributed to the curtailment of international travel.
France, China, Germany, the UK and the US were Sri Lanka’s top five international tourist generating markets in the month of June this year. France was the largest source of tourist traffic to Sri Lanka with 40.5% of the total traffic received in the above period. The visit of a group of French Navy personnel to the Island has resulted in France significantly moving up to the top of the tourist source market. China accounted for 10.9% of the total traffic, while Germany, the UK, and the US accounted for 8.5%, 7.5%, and 7.3%, respectively.
The presence of countries from the Americas, Western, Central, and Eastern Europe and the Asia Pacific regions among the top source markets reflects the gradual revitalisation of the tourism industry fuelled by factors such as the gradual improvement of traveller confidence, the lifting of travel restrictions and the rollout of the Covid-19 vaccine.
It is noteworthy that India, which was gradually regaining its position as the top source market, is no longer in the list owing to the travel restrictions imposed in the wake of the escalating pandemic situation in India. Kazakhstan, Ukraine, Germany, China, and India were Sri Lanka’s top five international tourist generating markets from January to June this year. Kazakhstan was the largest source of tourist traffic to Sri Lanka with 19% of the total traffic received from January to June 2021. Ukraine accounted for 16% of the total traffic, while Germany, China, and India accounted for 9%, 7%, and 6%, respectively. It is also noteworthy that total arrivals up to June from Kazakhstan had recorded a growth in comparison to the total arrivals up to June 2020 owing to the pilot project carried out to revive the industry following a 10-month-long pandemic-induced border closure.
Source : http://www.travelvoice.lk/17000-tourists-in-2021-so-far/
