Sri Lanka a top destination for Indian tourists

Sri Lanka Tourism participated at SATTE-2018, South Asia’s leading travel show, from January 31 to February 2 in New Delhi, India. Sri Lanka participated at this year’s fair with a strong contingent of 52 travel agents and hoteliers.

Sri Lanka Tourism focused on promoting film tourism, weddings under MICE category, religious and pilgrimage tourism (Ramayana Trail) etc. at SATTE 2018.

“India continues to be our top source market. We believe that the potential of the Indian travel market is yet to be realised in terms of attracting longer stay and higher spending travellers. We hope to make Sri Lanka the most preferred destination in Asia for Indian travelers. Sri Lanka offers travelers an array of diverse product offerings and experiences spread across the island,” said Managing Director, Sri Lanka Tourism Promotion Bureau, Sutheash Balasubramanium.

Meanwhile, Sri Lanka Tourism held a press conference on the sidelines of the fair where some interesting statistics were revealed.

A survey conducted by Sri Lanka Tourism highlights that, 63.7 per cent of Indians opt for sightseeing excursions and 49.82 per cent go for shopping while 41.64 per cent prefer sea bathing and 32.74 per cent spend time in the swimming pool.

Around 37.01 per cent Indian travelers visit the historical sites in Sri Lanka while wildlife is of interest for 21 per cent. The overall experience of the Indian visitor to Sri Lanka, as per the survey, has been very delightful for 69.1 per cent and satisfying for 30.69 per cent.

The other important highlights of the survey shows that, 44.84 per cent Indians come home with a memory of Sri Lanka being a beautiful tropical country; 29.54 per cent say that the people of Sri Lanka are nice and hospitable; 24.2 per cent talk about the pristine beaches with golden sand; while, 24.20 per cent loved the diverse attractions. Finally 30.25 per cent Indians are repeat visitors.