Political instability and the likely hood of riots and food shortages that created a dip in tourist arrivals are slowly becoming a thing of the past and the hotels are receiving a steady stream of bookings.
The currency depreciation is giving more value for money and the availability of fuel and electricity has encouraged many travel operators to direct group bookings toward Sri Lanka.
Luxury hotels, coastal towns, and wildlife parks are been promoted as key attractions.
As the daily mail reports: The most luxurious hotel in the south of Sri Lanka, the Peace Haven Anantara, near Tangalle, heroically kept on its 340 staff including sushi and Italian chefs. Peacocks still parade on its lawns and giant monitor lizards soak up the sun. You can bag a room here for around £239 a night in January and February.
Tangalle’s glorious beaches are deserted. Small bars offer grilled lobster for £15. It is an incredible bargain time for Western travellers.
The cost of a shirt being tailored at Numesh Tailors is £3; a pair of linen trousers at Sanu Fashion costs £9. Fresh papayas and pineapples are offered as complimentary desserts.
Meanwhile the Minister of Ports, Shipping and Aviation Nimal Siripala De Silva has instructed immigration authorities to set up more windows at the airports to issue visas for tourists as the numbers are increasing by the day.
Russian tourists have been arriving in large numbers via Mattala Rajapaksa International Airport (MRIA) and there have been complaints that these tourists have had to wait for more than four hours to gain entry clearance.
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