Tourist arrivals up 24.6% in H1

Arrivals from Muslim nations down in June
By Mario Andree

Ceylon FT: Tourist arrivals for the first half of this year surged 24.6% to 727,353 from 583,573 in the same period last year. Arrivals for June were up 14.3% to 103,175 from 90,279 in the same month last year. Arrivals from the Middle East fell 12% in June amid religious tensions in the country.

The government and the industry anticipates more than 1.5 million arrivals this year, however, data released by the Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority showed that the first six months' arrivals had not reached half this year's set goal.

Data showed that during the month of June tourist arrivals from several markets had declined. As a result of religious tension in the country arrivals from Muslim nations including the Middle East, Maldives and Pakistan declined, while tourists from Denmark, Netherlands, Norway, one of Sri Lanka Tourism Promotion Bureau's focus markets, and arrivals from Ukraine, Poland, Philippines and Singapore fell.

Western Europe led tourist arrivals to Sri Lanka, followed by South Asia and East Asia. Country-wise India was the top market for the country, followed by United Kingdom and China.

Overall tourist arrivals for the six months highlighted that travellers from North America increased 12.2% to 35,588 in 2014 from 31,721 in 2013. In June arrivals from North America was up 11.7% to 6,889 from 6,169, while arrivals in June from Latin America and the Caribbean increased 59.6% to 2,057 from 1,289, and 193 arrivals, up 30.4% from 148 respectively.

Arrivals from Western Europe were up 17% to 223,810 from 191,311 while arrivals in June were up 8.9% to 23,205, from 21,313, while arrivals from Eastern Europe increased 44.8% to 86,580 from 59,796. The arrivals for June were up 17.5% to 4,309 from 3,667.

Arrivals from Africa increased 83.3% to 5,455 from 2,976 for the first six months while arrivals for June were 812, up 62.4% from 500. Arrivals from the Middle East rose 9.5% to 38,603 from 35,241 for the first six months, while the figure for June was 9,895, down 12% from 11,245.

Arrivals from East Asia increased 50.3% to 130,867 from 87,058 for the six months while arrivals for June were 22,000, up 42.9% from 15,390. Arrivals from South Asia increased 18.3% to 176,323 from 149,056, while arrivals for June were 30,950, up 13.3% from 27,317.

Arrivals for the six months this year from Australasia increased 11.7% to 28,070 from 25,125 in 2013 while arrivals for June were 4,922, up 8.7% from 4,530 in 2013.
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