Sri Lanka will target 1.5 lakh Indian arrivals

The Sri Lanka Tourist Board (SLTB) has drawn up plans to increase the number of Indian tourists visiting the island nation to 1.5 lakh this year.

"Last year, 1.13 lakh Indian tourists visited Sri Lanka. We witnessed a 7.8 per cent increase in Indian arrivals. India is the foremost contributor in terms of tourist arrivals with over 20 per cent. The SLTB has rawn up plans to increase the number of Indian tourists visiting us. We will invest Rs 1 crore in our plans," SLTB assistant director (sales and marketing) Madhubani Perera told reporters here on Monday.

According to SLTB statistics, over 40 per cent of Indian travellers are repeat visitors and over 60 per cent belong to the high-end segment.

"The average spending by an Indian is $75-80, mainly on shopping, food, entertainment and sightseeing. We will focus on mobilising tourists from tier II Indian cities," she added.

As part of the campaign, the SLTB in association with Sri Lankan Airlines, is offering tourist packages to various destinations.

"Sri Lankan Airlines operates to nine destinations in India, the highest by any foreign airliner. This has increased the reach. Besides, we are providing visa on arrival to the tourists," she said.

The SLTB will hold interactive business sessions with Indian travel and trade fraternity in Bangalore, Mumbai, Delhi and Hyderabad. Fifteen top-end travel companies from Sri Lanka will interact with 600 Indian companies in due course, Perera stated.