The Covid, May 26 -- 19 dealt a body-blow to tourism and aviation, not merely in Sri Lanka, but the world-over. As the SARS-COV-2 virus spread across the world, airlines saw passenger demand plunge, as people had second thoughts about travel far from home - especially cooped up with potential virus-carriers in an aeroplane. The situation worsened as borders closed and destinations went into lockdown.

As the epidemic begins to wind down, in countries such as Australia, Austria, China, Czechia, Finland, Germany, Japan and South Korea, the tourism market is reviving. Growth will be slow, at least until a vaccine is developed for the disease, likely in a year's time or more.

Tourism development chief Kimarli Fernando told the Al Jazeera TV ...