Pearl of the East attracts Tourists again 01 June 2010

(Colombo, Lankapuvath, June 01) - The government expects to increase its tourism revenue from $ 400 million to $ 1,000 million by 2015 as adverse travel restrictions of foreign tourists were being lifted, Deputy Minister of Economic Development Lakshman Yapa Abeywardena said yesterday (31).

He said after the conclusion of war, European countries and the US had relaxed their travel advisories.

The US had recently advised travellers that the "Pearl of the East" was now a peaceful destination.

Sri Lanka Tourism had launched several local and overseas programmes to promote the island's tourism industry after the end of the war.

Minister Abeywardena said another programme, "Travel Sri Lanka" would be launched shortly in collaboration with Sri Lankan missions worldwide.

At present only 500,000 tourists visit Sri Lanka annually and the government expects tourists arrivals to go up to 2. 5 million after all promotional programmes have been completed.

The first quarter of the current year had recorded a high number of tourist arrivals. It is a 50 per cent increase compared to the corresponding period last year. There were 250,000 tourist arrivals between January and May 2010.

Several global events including the World Surfing Qualifying Competition 2010 to be held at Arugam Bay and the Indian International Film Academy Festival would be a boost to the tourism industry.

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