Sri Lanka has marked the milestone of welcoming 100,000 tourist arrivals from Russia.
According to the Sri Lanka Tourism Promotion Bureau (SLTB), in collaboration with Airport and Aviation Services, a special ceremony was organised to celebrate 100,000 tourist arrivals from Russia through direct flights.
The SLTB stated that the special ceremony was held at the Katunayake Airport yesterday (July 17) where passengers and crew of an Aeroflot flight from Moscow were welcomed.
A total of 100,298 Russian tourists were brought into Sri Lanka jointly by Aeroflot, Azur Air and Redwings since 10th October 2022. As of July, Russia has become the second-highest source market for Sri Lanka.
The visitors and invitees were given a warm welcome by Tourism Information Centre officials of SLTPB and were escorted to the Lotus Lounge with a cultural performance by a traditional dance troupe, which was highly enjoyed by the Russian tourists.
The distinguished guests at this occasion included Levan. Dzhagaryan, Russian Ambassador to Sri Lanka, G.A Chandrasiri, Chairman, Airport and Aviation Services, Thisum Jayasuriya, Chairman, Sri Lanka Convention Bureau, and Udayanga Weeratunga, Former Sri Lankan Ambassador to Russia.
Mr. Thilak Weerasinghe, (LSR), Mr. Rushan Fruard, (Exotic Holidays International), and Mr. Kamal Deshapriya (Ceylon My dream) who contributed as Industry stakeholders for this direct flight operations, and Captain Ermolaev Vladmir Vlaimirovich and crew of Aeroflot, together with Tourism and Aviation officials and Media attended this event.
The SLTPB stated that Chairman of the Airport and Aviation Services G.A Chandrasiri made the welcoming speech and mentioned that with the increase of tourist arrivals from Russia to Sri Lanka, it shows that the hospitality, culture, and the traditional ways of Sri Lankan people are accepted by Russians. He thanked all the Tourism and aviation officials, Industry stakeholders who supported this endeavor, to make this effort a success.
Speaking at the occasion, Chairman of SLCB Thisum Jayasuriya highlighted that Sri Lanka can now see a considerable change in the influx of tourist arrivals which is received on a daily basis.
Captain Ermolaev Vladmir Vlaimirovich also expressed his thanks and gratitude for the hospitality shown by the Sri Lankans and how impressive Sri Lanka is as a travel destination.
The SLTPB stated that this initiative is seen as a positive outcome of the continuous efforts done by Sri Lanka Tourism to promote the Russian market, strengthening its Bilateral and Economical ties between the two nations, making Russia one of the most successful economic contributors in enhancing its Tourism. The positive message spread by the Russian passengers will further encourage more Russian tourists to visit Sri Lanka, for their next vacation. (NewsWire)
