During the first eleven months of this year Sri Lanka tourism industry’s has surpassed the record breaking 1,005,605 visitors it attracted during the year 2012 thus marking an another record year of tourist arrivals.

Celebrating the achievement, Sri Lanka Tourism today(30th November) held a special program at the Bandaranaike International Airport, where it presented a surprise gift to a Russian tourist couple, who arrived in the Island for a holiday.

Managing Director of Sri Lanka Tourism Promotion Bureau – Mr. Rumy Jauffer, Director Marketing of Sri Lanka Tourism Promotion Bureau Ms. Madubhani Perera, Mr. Mervin Fernandopulle – Board Member of Sri Lanka Tourism Promotion Bureau, Mr. Mahen Kariyawasam President of Sri Lanka Inbound tour operators Association, Mr. Suresh De Mel President of Small and Medium Tourism Entrepreneurs representatives from travel and tourism industry warmly welcomed the guests who arrived in Sri Lanka via flight UL 543 from Moscow at 6.15am.

The couple Mr. Mikhalev Vitaly and Ms.Belova Tatiaua Both husband and wife, who were selected randomly was offered a 6 night / 7 – day free Sri Lanka holiday package. The duo can use it for their next holiday in the Island.

Russian couple have arrived in Sri Lanka for a 17 day holiday and expected to travel across Sri Lanka. The couple has chosen Sri Lanka as their destination after watching a television program on Sri Lanka, aired by ‘Pathnethsa’ of Russia.

Sri Lanka Tourism is planning to attract 2.5 million tourists by 2016 under the Mahinda Chinthana policy framework, with the fullest guidance of Minister of Economic Development Hon. Basil Rajapaksa.

Sri Lanka Tourism industry during the last few years is experiencing a rapid growth in visitor arrival figures backed by a major promotional campaign launched by the Sri Lanka Tourism Promotion Bureau, covering key tourism destinations. Having identified China, Russia, India, Japan, South Korea and Middle East Countries as emerging markets, SLTPB executed a new series of promotional activities incorporating the new strategies of the government. Compared to the previous year, the present number of tourist arrivals indicates a growth of 17 %. Besides, the total revenue also surpassed 1 billion US$.

Among the series of promotional activities launched, the 3-day mega promotional campaign, already conducted in year 2012 in selected cities such as Mumbai, Bangalore, Beijing, Russia and also in many CIS countries ranks very high.