Sri Lanka celebrates arrival of one millionth tourist for 2024
June 30, Colombo (LNW): In a momentous occasion, Sri Lanka today welcomed its one millionth tourist of the year.
Mr. Paul Roy, hailing from Ireland, arrived with his wife on flight UL 504 and was honoured at a grand ceremony held at Bandaranaike International Airport.
The event was organised by Tourism Sri Lanka in collaboration with Airport & Aviation Services Sri Lanka Private Ltd.
Tourism Minister Harin Fernando expressed his delight at the milestone, highlighting the Ministry’s ambitious target of attracting 2 million tourists in 2024.
The Minister also noted the impressive growth in tourism numbers, with over 1.4 million visitors recorded in 2023—a substantial increase of 106 per cent compared to the previous year.
The special event at the airport featured cultural performances and traditional Sri Lankan hospitality, showcasing the island’s vibrant heritage and warm welcome to international visitors.
The Tourism Minister emphasised that this achievement is a testament to the resilience and recovery of Sri Lanka’s tourism sector, which has been working diligently to regain its position as a premier travel destination.
As Mr. Roy and his wife were greeted with garlands and smiles, it became evident that Sri Lanka is not only on track to meet its tourism goals but also to provide unforgettable experiences for all its visitors.
