Nearly a thousand Russian tourists are expected to arrive in Sri Lanka next month. Russian tourists are booking all SriLankan flights from Moscow to Colombo in October. According to SriLankan Airlines, bookings for these flights are currently being completed.
SriLankan Airlines operates a weekly direct flight from Moscow, Russia. SriLankan Airlines' UL 534 is scheduled to arrive in Sri Lanka from Moscow on October 09, October 16, October 23 and October 30.
After six years, SriLankan Airlines commenced direct flights between Russia and Sri Lanka on July 31. Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority (SLTDA) launched a special tourism promotion campaign in Russia on September 3. It was implemented on the instructions of Minister of Tourism, Hon. Prasanna Ranatunga. Due to the Covid pandemic, Sri Lanka had suspended its participation in foreign tourism promotion campaigns and resumed it while participating in a tourism exhibition in Moscow, Russia. The Minister of Tourism held several special rounds of discussions with the local media, social media and representatives of tourism organizations in Russia.
The Minister instructed SriLankan Airlines to introduce a special promotional offer for Russian tourists. Accordingly, SriLankan Airlines has introduced the 'Bye One Get One' offer. This offer has made Sri Lanka more attractive to Russian tourists.
The highest number of Russian tourists arrived in Sri Lanka in 2019. The number of Russian tourists who visited Sri Lanka that year was around 86,000. Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority reports that 49,397 Russian tourists have arrived in Sri Lanka by March 2020, despite travel restrictions due to the Covid pandemic. The next two months are expected to see a significant increase in Russian tourist arrivals to Sri Lanka.
