Tourist arrivals to Lanka down 10th consecutive month year on year

Sri Lanka has recorded a monthly percentage year on year (YoY) decline in tourist arrivals for the tenth consecutive month, with March 2009 arrivals falling 10.5% YoY to 34,065 persons, whilst 1Q2009 arrivals were consequently down 21.3% YoY to 106,702 persons.

In cooperation with the Willy Scharnow Foundation for Tourism based in Germany, the Sri Lanka Tourism Promotion Bureau organised an educational trip (Familiarization Tour), inviting German based Travel Agents to participate on a tour to Sri Lanka. The group of 15 personnel, were on tour in Sri Lanka, from May 24 - 30, 2009. During the tour, the Agents visited Sigiriya, Dambulla, Polonnaruwa, Kandy, the Pinnawela Elephant Orphanage, Beruwela / Bentota Beach locations, establishments specializing in ayurveda, Colombo, and Negombo. During the tour, several workshops were conducted by Tobias Bandara, Promotion Manager, SLTPB Germany, to impart knowledge about the destination.

CT Smith Stockbrokers said the 1Q2009 under-performance is however, partly due to the absence of the Bohra community pilgrims seen in January 2008. The monthly % YoY decline in arrivals in March 2009 is nevertheless the lowest since October 2008, albeit being off a relatively low base.
The Western European segment (which accounted for nearly 38% of Sri Lanka’s tourist arrivals in 2008), recorded a 5% YoY decline in arrivals in March 2009. Of this, the UK, Germany, and Netherlands recorded monthly % YoY declines of 6%, 24% and 26% respectively, amidst recessionary economic conditions, whilst France recorded a 78% YoY upturn in visitors, with arrivals increasing % YoY for the third consecutive month. Western European arrivals in 1Q2009 have dropped 17% YoY to 45,876 persons, with the UK (which now accounts for 19% of tourist arrivals), having regained its position as Sri Lanka’s highest tourist generating market.

CT Smith Stockbrokers said the next most significant tourism markets of South and East Asia also recorded declines in tourist arrivals to 8,439 (down 16% YoY) and 3,678 (down 1% YoY) persons respectively. Whilst India’s 46% YoY decline in arrivals in 1Q2009 is partially due to the absence of Bohra pilgrims to the island, the 22% YoY decline seen in March 2009 arrivals has contributed towards India losing its position as Sri Lanka’s highest tourist generating market to the UK in 1Q2009. Middle Eastern arrivals meanwhile declined 44% YoY to 1,230 persons for March 2009 (after recording positive % YoY growth during the previous two months).