Sri Lanka has pinned its hopes on Chinese visitors to boost the tourism industry. Tourism Minister Milinda Moragoda identified China as the main market for the country when he flew in to meet with the China National Tourism Administration Director Shao Qiwei.


“China holds the key to our tourism development and further economic growth, particularly when the number of tourists from Europe and America is plunging during the financial crisis,” he told China Daily.
Moragoda made China his first stop in a global tour to promote the tourism sector, explaining that China has a strong currency and “is a large market to develop in terms of overseas tourism”.


“We have always ensured visitors are safe in Sri Lanka and the conditions now are even more improved as the North and East, where conflicts used to occur, are under control,” Moragoda said. He added that, with the conflict coming to an end and China’s economy remaining steady amid the economic slowdown, “it is time to reboot the tourism industry through close work with China”.


There are already three direct flights from Beijing to Colombo, with authorities now in talks over more flights from other major cities in China, he said. Sri Lankan Airlines has also started a holiday promotion by offering tickets for less than 6,000 yuan ($900).


Major Chinese travel agents have also been invited to work more closely with counterparts on the tropical island.