Third source of foreign currency income after textiles and agriculture, tourism is hard hit by the current political and economic crisis in Sri Lanka. It is a blow for a nation which, after years of civil war, the Easter jihadist attacks three years ago and two years of the Covid-19 pandemic, was only just beginning to see the “sprouts” of recovery. .
With our special correspondent in Kandy, Jelena Tomic
While travel bookings are picking up around the world since the easing of restrictions due to the Covid-19 pandemic, Sri Lanka is experiencing a drop and even serial cancellations due to the current instability and financial crisis. the country. A disaster for many families.
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” We have about a million people. But if we count the families with them, we have about 3-4 million people who live from tourism. I am very disappointedlaments Akhtar Mohamed, a French-speaking guide who has been practicing this profession for 40 years. Sri Lanka should not be overlooked. There are not many flights at the moment, you have to take advantage of them. You will mainly help the economy of the country. You give great support to people like us who depend on tourism. »
Russians and Ukrainians
At the start of 2022, Russians accounted for the largest share of visitors ahead of the British. According to official figures, nearly 15,000 Russians and 5,000 Ukrainians traveled to the Indian Ocean island last February, the month when the war began.Russian invasion in Ukraine.