Colombo (AsiaNews) – Sri Lanka will open a new consulate in Chengdu, in China’s Sichuan Province, in the first quarter of next year.
Foreign Minister Vijitha Herath made the announcement yesterday in Parliament, explaining that the initiative is linked to the expected increase in the number of Chinese tourists arriving in the country.
Sri Lanka has already seen a significant influx, with the number of Chinese tourists doubling during the annual Lunar New Year celebrations, which take place in January and February during a two-week holiday period that facilitates outbound travel each year.
Tourist arrivals from China in Sri Lanka stood at 116,947, as of yesterday, placing the People's Republic fifth behind India, the United Kingdom, Russia, and Germany.
Data by the Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority (SLTDA) show that. So far, total tourism revenue for 2025 was US$ 2.6 billion, while overall revenue for 2024 was US$ 3.17 billion.
Sri Lanka has surpassed two million arrivals this year, with the target set at three million. Last year, it received 2.05 million visitors, compared to a target set at 2.3 million.
