Record rise in tourists

Record rise in tourists
Most hotels occupied:
Suraj A Bandara
Sri Lanka recorded a record increase in the number of tourist arrivals by yesterday. Over 80 percent tourist hotels in the Colombo District and over 63 percent hotels out of Colombo have been occupied by foreigners, Economic Development Deputy Minister Lakshman Yapa Abeywardena said.
Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority figures revealed that this is the highest number of tourist arrivals recorded in Sri Lanka's history.
Figures showed an increase in arrivals from Western Europe, South Asia, East Asia, Middle-East and North America.
Tourists from Western Europe, the traditional tourist generating market rose significantly. The increase of tourist arrivals from the European countries is a plus point to the Sri Lankan economy, the Deputy Minister said.
He said this increase is due to removing the ban imposed on Sri Lanka by certain countries.
Tourist arrivals in the country increased sharply from May 2009 after the restoration of peace