Sri Lanka: tourism hard hit by the political and economic crisis

At a market in Colombo, July 25, 2019 (Illustration image).

© AP - Eranga Jayawardena

Text by: RFI Follow

1 min

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. .

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With our special correspondent in Kandy

,

Jelena Tomic 

While travel bookings are picking up all over 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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Also to listen: Sri Lanka: the shortages, which hit the poorest, are getting worse

“ 

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 disappointed

, laments Akhtar Mohamed, a French-speaking guide who has been doing this job 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 visited the Indian Ocean island last February, the month the

Russian invasion of Ukraine

began .

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  • Sri Lanka