Deadly blast of April 21 in Sri Lanka drastically hits the country’s tourism sector.Sri Lanka is now expecting 5-10 per cent decline in Indian tourist arrivals this year. Sri Lanka’s Tourism Development Minister John Amaratunga, stated, “We were moving along to our expectation of 5,00,000 visitors from India, but unfortunately, the events of April 21 have derailed our expectation…Sri Lanka is now safe to travel. I can give assurance or guarantee to all Indian people that Sri Lanka remains secure.” The island nation was anticipating a 25 per cent growth from Indian travellers this year, over 5 lakh visitors from around 4,25,000 last year.
India accounts for the most number of visitors to Sri Lanka.
Sri Lanka is trying to woo visitors, after recent bombings on April 21 during Easter at luxury hotels and churches, that killed more than 290 people which includes 40 foreigners.
The Sri Lanka tourism board said that the military has dismantled the outfit that carried out the attacks and the intelligence sources have said that such co-ordinated attacks won’t be carried out in the country.
The country is expect around 2 million visitors this year from around the world, as against 2.3 million last year.
In May this year, it witnessed 70 per cent decline in tourists compared to last year.It is offering packages designed for India at nearly 50-60 per cent discount.Amaratunga said that Sri Lanka is toying with the idea to offer free visa and visa on arrival to Indian visitors but it has been put on hold following the attacks in April.
