Apr 30, 2013 (LBO) - China has overtaken Japan as Sri Lanka's top tourist market in East Asia generating more tourists from around September 2012, official data show.
In February 2013, arrivals from China rose 57.9 percent to 6,145 compared to a growth of 12.2 percent to 4,724 by Japan. Japan has been Sri Lanka's top generating market in East Asia in the past, but from around September 2012 China has tended to generate more tourists than Japan. Image may be NSFW.
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In the six months to February 2013 China generated 17,978 arrivals compared to 14,938 from Japan. In the 12 months to Japan Chinese arrivals rose 58 percent to 25,781 compared to rise of 26.7 percent to 26,085 in Japan. Sri Lanka is targeting 60,000 visitors from China, or an ambitious 100 percent plus increase in 2013 amid an overall target of 1.2 million tourists which is a 20 percent expected annual increase. In the first two months of the year arrivals grew 12.5 percent to 190,643.Economic ties with China have been growing in recent years and there are also some Chinese expatriates working in projects in the island. Tourist promotions targeting China has increased. Arrivals from India, Sri Lanka's largest generating market fell to 1.8 percent to 11,139 in February 2012, after growing by an anemic 2.9 percent to 171,374 last year. India became Sri Lanka's largest generating market after visa restrictions were lifted in the middle of the last decade. Visas were re-imposed last year. The Indian currency also weakened last year. China has become a key source of tourists to East Asia over the last few years as well as South Asian nations like the Maldives. The country has seen increases in real wages and prosperity as it ended currency depreciation as an interventionist growth strategy. The Yuan has appreciated about 30 percent against the US dollar from 2005 partly due to pressure from US Mercantilists who mistakenly believe that trade deficits can be cured with currency appreciation. Similar tactics were used against Japan but has failed for 30 years. But a strong currency also means that neither the state nor exporters can use real cuts in wages to manage expense or make profits. Economic analysts say currency depreciation or unsound money is the key tool of poverty creation practiced by the architects of the 'welfare state' in Western Europe.
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In the six months to February 2013 China generated 17,978 arrivals compared to 14,938 from Japan. In the 12 months to Japan Chinese arrivals rose 58 percent to 25,781 compared to rise of 26.7 percent to 26,085 in Japan. Sri Lanka is targeting 60,000 visitors from China, or an ambitious 100 percent plus increase in 2013 amid an overall target of 1.2 million tourists which is a 20 percent expected annual increase. In the first two months of the year arrivals grew 12.5 percent to 190,643.Economic ties with China have been growing in recent years and there are also some Chinese expatriates working in projects in the island. Tourist promotions targeting China has increased. Arrivals from India, Sri Lanka's largest generating market fell to 1.8 percent to 11,139 in February 2012, after growing by an anemic 2.9 percent to 171,374 last year. India became Sri Lanka's largest generating market after visa restrictions were lifted in the middle of the last decade. Visas were re-imposed last year. The Indian currency also weakened last year. China has become a key source of tourists to East Asia over the last few years as well as South Asian nations like the Maldives. The country has seen increases in real wages and prosperity as it ended currency depreciation as an interventionist growth strategy. The Yuan has appreciated about 30 percent against the US dollar from 2005 partly due to pressure from US Mercantilists who mistakenly believe that trade deficits can be cured with currency appreciation. Similar tactics were used against Japan but has failed for 30 years. But a strong currency also means that neither the state nor exporters can use real cuts in wages to manage expense or make profits. Economic analysts say currency depreciation or unsound money is the key tool of poverty creation practiced by the architects of the 'welfare state' in Western Europe. 