Tourism industry rebounds after 04/21 attacks

COLOMBO (News 1st): Tourist arrivals in June stood at 63,072, almost twice the tourist arrivals in May this year. CBSL data revealed that tourist arrivals in June this year amounted to 63,072 while earnings from tourism amounted to USD 118.4 Million, approximately Rs. 20.9 billion. This year's tourist arrivals reported a decline of more than 50%, in comparison to the tourist arrivals in June last year. Speaking exclusively to News 1st, Chairman of the Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority, Johanne Jayaratne, said Sri Lanka's tourist arrivals had recovered to a daily average of 3,500 in the first week of July. He added that tourist arrivals in July are expected to top 100,000, while a massive recovery in the tourism industry is expected during the coming months, particularly between September and December.