Russia became the leader of the tourist flow in Sri Lanka
The resumption of direct regular and charter flights from Russia to Sri Lanka has made the Russian market “number one” in this island nation. He talks about the statistics of arrivals and how much air tickets and tours to Lanka cost in December and on New Year’s Eve.
EVERY FOURTH TOURIST IN SRI LANKA IN NOVEMBER FROM RUSSIA
The resumption of regular flights of Aeroflot AZUR air to Sri Lanka was due to the drivers of the recovery of the country’s tourism sectors, Sri Lankan media writes, citing data from the Ministry of Tourism.
Thus, last month the number of average daily arrivals of foreign tourists increased by 38%: from 1300 to 1800 people. Basically, at the expense of Russian tourists.
According to preliminary data from the Tourism Development of Sri Lanka (SLTDA), in the first 15 days of November, Sri Lanka received 27,213 tourists, with one in four tourists on the island being Russians. According to SLTDA, Russia has become the main tourist market for Sri Lanka with a share of 25%: 6,701 Russian arrivals were recorded in the first half of November. According to this indicator, Russia surpassed India (4404 arrivals), Great Britain (2257), Germany (1924) and Australia (1371).
The cumulative number of visits from abroad has risen to 595,471 since the beginning of the year, which SLTDA notes is a good start for the winter season, which will last until the end of April 2023. In the total tourist flow since the beginning of the year, Russia is still third, with a high figure of 64,190 arrivals. It is second only to India (99,891) and the UK (75,059).
The authorities predict that while maintaining the current volumes of the securities market, the leaders in terms of consumer prices in the winter season of 2022-2023. The Lankan media, citing the local office of Aeroflot, report that 75% of tickets to Sri Lanka under the Russian carrier’s winter flight program have already been sold.
Sri Lanka is approaching 2022 with a high figure of 800,000 foreign arrivals. In November-December, at least 100,000 foreign tourists are expected in the country.
HOW TO FLY TO SRI LANKA
Today, two Russian airlines fly to Sri Lanka: Aeroflot operates flights from Moscow to Colombo three times a week. From Moscow, St. Petersburg, Krasnoyarsk and Novosibirsk flights are operated by AZUR air. From Moscow – flights 2 times a week, from the regions – 1 time in 10/11 nights.
You can also get to Sri Lanka on connecting flights with transfers in Istanbul, Doha, Dubai and Sharjah, Manama (Bahrain).
HOW MUCH AIR TICKETS AND TOURS TO SRI LANKA COST
In December, an Aeroflot ticket to Sri Lanka (for the New Year’s Eve week only) will cost from 77 thousand rubles. in both directions, during the New Year holidays (from December 29 to January 6) – from 190 thousand rubles. per passenger in both directions. Flight in a meeting – from 56 thousand rubles. round trip.
Package tours to Sri Lanka (flight + accommodation + group transfer) will cost less than the amount for two tickets for two on an Aeroflot flight. So, a tour for two with a departure from Moscow on November 30 for 9 nights starts from 114 thousand rubles, at the same time, at least 154 thousand rubles should be paid for air travel by Aeroflot.
For the New Year (departure on December 31), a trip to Sri Lanka for two for 9 nights costs from 310 thousand rubles. For comparison: only for Aeroflot tickets from Moscow to Colombo and back for the winter holidays to pay from 380 thousand rubles. for two.
Flight from Moscow to Colombo with connections in December – from 52,848 rubles. in both directions (Emirates, change in Dubai).
Recall also that now the Russians can issue a pack of bank cards in Sri Lanka.
Elena Myagkova
Photo: www.piqsels.com
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