Colombo, April 9 (newsin.asia) – Sri Lanka Tourist arrivals recorded an impressive 24.1 percent growth in March, compared to the same period last year with the arrival of 233,382 tourists, despite deadly anti Muslim clashes in Kandy which led to thousands of overnight bookings.
Statistics from the Sri Lanka Tourism Ministry showed that India was the largest market with the arrival of 30,583 tourists last month followed by the United Kingdom with 30,366 arrivals and Germany 24,423.
China which was the second largest market however dipped to fourth place with 21,101 arrivals, falling by almost 5 percent when compared to March 2017.
In the first quarter of this year, Sri Lanka has received 707,924 tourists up to 31st March 2018, up 17.1 percent from last year with almost 94% of them coming by air and rest by sea.
Many leading countries including China issued travel advisories against Sri Lanka after deadly anti Muslim clashes erupted in Kandy earlier last month which left three dead and several injured.
Over 200 shops, businesses, homes and mosques were burnt or damaged in the violence which was triggered off after a Buddhist man succumbed to his injuries after being beaten by a group of Muslim men.
The violence led to 5000 hotel cancellations in Kandy, which is a popular tourist destination.
