Sri Lanka tourist arrivals up 46-pct in January

Feb 15, 2011 (LBO) – Tourist arrivals to Sri Lanka in January 2011 rose 46.2 percent to 74,197 with Western Europe generating 32,627 and India being the single most important country with 13,786 visitors. Visitors from Western Europe who are important for the country's beach resorts rose 53.7 percent from a year earlier maintaining the upward trend seen last year.

In 2010 tourist arrivals rose 46.1 percent as the industry recovered from a 30-year war which ended in May 2009.

UK was the top Western generating market with 9,518 visitors up 15.7 percent followed by Germany with 5,543 up 24 percent and France 4,544 up 100 percent. Netherlands another traditionally important market was up 103 percent at 2,944.

Visitors from Eastern Europe were up 16.7 percent to 1,640 with Russian arrivals up 2.0 percent to 1,940.

East Asian arrivals were up 53.7 percent to 7,269 led by China with 1,606 up 155.3 percent, Japan 1,429 up 16.5 percent, Malaysia 1,070 up 41.9 percent and Singapore 1,027 up 87.1 percent.

South Asia generated 17,900 visitors up 42.9 percent with Indians dominating with 13,786 up 50.8 percent. Indian visitors are considered to be important for hotels and guest houses