Improvement in June to July tourist arrivals, up by 50 % so far
While Sri Lanka initially suffered a setback in tourist arrivals after the Easter Sunday attacks more than three months ago, arrivals are seen picking up month-on-month. From a drop of 70 per cent post Easter Sunday attacks, the numbers are reversing on a positive note with arrivals up by 50 per cent in June, says Sri Lanka Tourism Promotion Bureau Chairman, Kishu Gomes.
Mr. Gomes made this remark during a media briefing to announce the 58th ACI Financial Markets Association (FMA) Congress held at the Taj Samudra Hotel in Colombo on Tuesday.
He said: “Sri Lanka’s recovery has been very good in my own view. In May, the daily average tourist arrivals went down to 1,200 where there were few days only when 950 tourists arrived in the country. In the last five days (July), on average more than 4,500 tourists have been arriving in Sri Lanka daily. Month-on-month recovery has been significant and the country had made a significant recovery in June over May by 64 per cent and from June to July the number has so far been over 50 per cent.” It’s just a matter of time that Sri Lanka will fully recover, he added.
He also stressed, there was no reason to postpone a conference that is already being planned to be hosted in Sri Lanka. He said the situation in Sri Lanka is under control and there is no need to panic about further attacks under the high security procedures the country has implemented with the tri-forces. The importance of the FMA Congress which is scheduled to be held from 3-5 October this year at the Hilton Hotel in Colombo is mainly for tourism. There will be around 500 attendees for the congress including 200 foreign delegates from 60 countries, he stated.
Sri Lanka’s tourism products have been enjoyed by the rest of the world over the years. The country is well-known for its high level of service and warm hospitality. Terrorism cannot disturb Sri Lanka’s hospitality and the beauty of the country, noted Mr. Gomes.
At the briefing it was mentioned that the FMA congress will bring together a collective of influential financial market professionals, regional regulators, policy makers, think tanks, eminent thought leaders, investors and corporates to discuss the theme ‘Discovering the role of markets in the new paradigm.’
Financial market industry leaders will delve into leveraging on Asia and the new Silk Route, crypto currency, blockchain and other fintech innovations and disruptions, artificial intelligence and machine learning and the global market outlook for 2020 and beyond. The envisaged driving role Sri Lanka will play in financial markets for this region will also be discussed in depth in a session titled,
‘Sri Lanka – Gateway to South Asia.’
Association Cambiste Internationale FMA Chairman, Bruno Langfritz during the media briefing stated, “I’m thrilled to see Colombo hosting this very prestigious event in our calendar as it not only showcases the beauty of this magnificent island but also the important role it is slated to play in financial markets in this region, which to me will be one of the most crucial driving forces in regional financial markets in the future. Being the leading global association of wholesale financial market professionals contributing towards market development, we are looking forward to a fruitful event with a galaxy of renowned speakers.”