Sri Lanka aims to increase the number of tourists visiting the country from Saudi Arabia this year by 20 per cent and double the figures in the next few years.
The emerald island received a total of 35,481 tourists from Saudi Arabia last year. Sri Lanka Tourism Promotion Bureau recently launched a roadshow in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, to promote the country’s unique hospitality services and attractions. A delegation of Sri Lanka Tourism officials, as well as the country’s leading hotels and tourism stakeholders took part in the roadshow, which attracted about 75 leading travel and tourism companies in the city. Madubhani Perera, director/marketing of the bureau, said: "Sri Lanka is one of the preferred destinations for Gulf tourists as we offer a distinctive, adventure-packed, eco-friendly, family-focused experience and offering. With our rich nature, heritage and culture, year-round schedule of festivals and special events, numerous parks and eco-centres, luxury resorts and wellness centres, Sri Lanka has many reasons for Saudi families to return to the country again and again.” Saudi Arabia accounts for the largest number of GCC tourists to Sri Lanka, followed by Oman and the UAE. Perera further said: "Saudi Arabia is one of the most important market segments in our region. Our expectations are that travel to Sri Lanka from Saudi Arabia will continue to grow and thrive, reinforcing Sri Lanka’s status as a world-class destination for cultural, family and eco-tourism.”