Sri Lanka tourist arrivals decline 7.5- pct in Apr 2019 : Q1 up 2.2-pct

May 07, 2019 (LBO) - Sri Lanka's tourist arrivals declined 7.5 percent during April 2019, latest data from the Tourisum Ministry show. However, a growth of 2.2 percent was shown in the 1st quarter compared to 2018. The total number of international tourist arrivals to Sri Lanka during April 2019 was 166,975.

In comparison to April last year, there was a decline of 7.5 percent where the arrivals were 180,429 which is estimated to be a direct consequence of Easter Sunday attacks took place on 21st of April. Last month, the largest source markets for tourists were United Kingdom, followed by India and Germany.

As of 30th April, 907,575 of tourists had visited Sri Lanka which is a 2.2 percent growth compared to the year 2018 where 888,353 tourists had visited the country during the same period. Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority is positive that the Tourism industry could be revived back to normal in the coming weeks despite the current situation.