Sri Lanka mulls tapping Indian tourists for tourism revival amid crisis

Sri Lanka plans to tap Indian tourists to revive the South Asian island’s battered tourism sector and shore up its depleted foreign exchange reserves. Authorities are set to hold roadshows starting next month in five Indian cities to attract travellers seeking “wellness, leisure, and Ramayana-trail,” tours, corporate functions and destination weddings, said Harin Fernando, the South Asian island’s tourism minister. We believe that Indian tourists will be very important for us in the short term.” 

The worst economic meltdown since independence, coupled with political turmoil, has hurt the nation’s tourism sector, that’s been a key driver of foreign currency inflows. Sri Lanka’s forex pile has dwindled to a meagre $1.89 billion in May even as it needs nearly $6 billion in the next few months to tackle shortages and support its currency.

Chennai, Bangalore, Hyderabad, Mumbai, and New Delhi have been picked for the road shows, Fernando said, adding that the bankrupt nation hopes to attract about 1 million tourists in 2022.