The Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority (SLTDA) has welcomed more than 2,000 international passengers aboard the luxury cruise ship Mein Schiff 06, marking the first major tourist arrival since last week’s natural disaster.

Calling it a “powerful symbol of resilience and recovery,” the SLTDA stated over 1,600 of the predominantly German passengers participated in excursions across the island.

Operated by TUI Cruises, the ship is sailing from Cape Town to Singapore and will next call at Hambantota Port for additional tours.

Minister of Tourism Vijitha Herath noted that, despite recent concerns, overall tourist arrivals have not significantly dropped. “We are happy to see over 2,000 German tourists arriving. Tourism continues as usual in most areas,” he said.

He acknowledged slight declines in Kandy and Nuwara Eliya but confirmed steady arrivals across the rest of the country.