TEHRAN (Iran News) –The number of Iranian visitors to Sri Lanka has increased in the first quarter of 2023 comparing to the same period in 2022 as both countries broadening ties in all fields especially in tourism and Colombo seeks to attract more Iranian visitors.
On Wednesday, Embassy of Sri Lanka in Tehran held a meeting for reviewing the current tourism interaction between Iran and Sri Lanka, and also honored the top Iranian tour operators and travel agencies in promoting tourism to Sri Lanka.
Sri Lankan Ambassador Mr. G.M.V.Wishwanah Aponsu hosted the event where the Secretary General of Asian Mayors Forum Hamidreza Gholamzadeh, Head of Association of Iranian Travel Agencies Hormatollah Rafiei and some other distinguished guests and Foreign Ministry official were present.
The event “Emerging Trend of Destination Sri Lanka Among Iran Tourists” started with candle-lighting ceremony and then Ambassador Wishwanah Aponsu briefed the participants of the current tourism condition in his country and his embassy’s activities in Tehran.
He said that since his arrival in Tehran in 2019 he has tried to boost cooperation with Iran in tourism and in recent years the number of Iranian visitors to Sri Lanka or vice versa has been on the rise and according to the recent statistics in the first quarter of 2023, the number of Iranian visitors to Sri Lanka has set a new record and Iran has ranked 9th among foreign visitors to Sri Lanka in March 2023 while in the past, Iranians had not been among the top 20 countries visiting Sri Lanka. He reiterated that the number of Iranian tourists to Sri Lanka in March grew by 67% comparing to the same period in 2023.
He said “Iran has been emerged as rank 13 of highest tourist arrivals to Sri Lanka during the first quarter of 2013 and for the month of March (Nowruz) Iran has been placed as rank 9 of highest tourist arrivals to Sri Lanka.”
Aponsu added “As you are aware we continue to expand two-way tourism between Sri Lanka and Iran as Iranian tourist arrivals in Sri Lanka increased by 983% in 2022 comparing to 2021 and this year and in the first quarter more than 5,000 Iranians visited Sri Lanka which shows 77% growth comparing to the same period in 2022 and this is a great achievement for all of us.”
He added Russians have been ranked first among the tourists visiting Sri Lanka. He admitted the pandemic had affected Sri Lankan tourism industry in 2022, adding that Sri Lanka was among one of the top 20 tourist destinations in the world in 2022. He said in the first quarter of 2023 some 3.5m tourists visited Sri Lanka which showed 17% growth comparing to the same period in 2022.
He also hailed Iranian tour operators, travel agencies and some airliners for helping the embassy for advancing its program for promoting tourism, adding that the embassy is now ready to open a tourism information center which will help enthusiasts who want to visit Sri Lanka.
Aponsu then noted that those who wish to visit Sri Lanka can easily apply through ETA visa online system.
He then stated “I am so proud of indicating that Sri Lanka Tourism Promotion Bureau in coordination with concerned local authorities facilitates the continued and uninterrupted supply of all facilities and other essentials as well as too ensure the comfort and safety of tourists, including women travelers.”
The ambassador hailed those who involved in this achievement and called for more cooperation especially from the media for promotion and introduction of tourist attractions of both states.
Meanwhile in the event Head of the Association of Iranian Travel Agencies Mr. Rafiei hailed Sri Lankan Ambassador for his non-stop efforts for boosting tourism between the two countries and said that tourism is the best medium for nations to know each other and reiterated that nobody should talk negatively about tourism and all should try to boost this industry despite problems. He expressed hope by the launch of direct flight between Iran and Sri Lanka, the number of tourists between the two states would increase.
The event ended with presenting awards to the top tour operators, travel agencies and media which helped boosting tourism between Sri Lanka and Iran.
