On September 26, 2023, Sri Lanka celebrated a momentous milestone as it welcomed its one-millionth tourist of the year. This remarkable achievement marked a significant turning point for Sri Lanka's tourism industry, as confirmed by Sri Lanka Tourism on Tuesday.
The distinguished guests, a Russian couple, embarked on their journey via Oman Airlines flight WY-373, making their way from Russia to Muscat, Oman, and finally landing at the Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA) in Katunayake.
Upon their arrival at BIA, the couple, led by Russian national Alex Mazkov and his family, were greeted with a warm welcome by the Sri Lanka Tourism Promotion Bureau (SLTPB).
Dr. Prasad Jayasekera, the Director of SLTPB, expressed the significance of this achievement, highlighting that this marked the first time in three years, since 2019, that Sri Lanka had crossed the remarkable milestone of hosting one million tourists within a single year.
In the first 24 days of September alone, Sri Lanka proudly recorded over 88,000 tourist arrivals, contributing to the year-to-date figures that culminated in this momentous event.
This achievement comes as a testament to Sri Lanka's resilience, as the country faced a series of formidable challenges in recent years.ese challenges included the global impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, the tragic Easter Sunday bombings, and an unprecedented economic crisis. Despite these adversities, Sri Lanka's tourism sector has emerged stronger than ever, welcoming travelers from around the world with open arms and enchanting experiences.
