Lanka's September tourist arrivals up 26.2 per cent

Sri Lanka's tourist arrivals rose 26.2 percent to 89,761 in September 2013 from a year earlier with visitors up 15.5 percent to 693,772 in the first nine months, data from the state tourism office showed.

Arrivals from India, Sri Lanka's top generating market, surged 30 percent to 18,048, up sharply for the second month in a row, helping South Asian visitors grow 31 percent to 26,399. Visitors from Maldives also rose 34.5 percent to 4,977. South Asian visitors were up 14.9 percent to 195,195 up to September. Eastern European visitors were up 42.2 percent to 6,646 with arrivals from Russia up 70.9 percent to 2,920, and Ukraine up 37.6 percent to 2,201.

Arrivals from Western Europe rose 19.1 percent to 26,598 in September with UK rising 5.6 percent to 9,070 and Germany up 36.2 percent to 6,732. Arrivals from France rose 14.8 percent to 3,479 and Dutch visitors were up 13.2 percent to 1,638. Eastern European visitors were up 42.2 percent to 6,646 with arrivals from Russia up 70.9 percent to 2,920, and Ukraine up 37.6 percent to 2,201. Middle Eastern visitors were up 36.7 percent to 5,695.