• First 19 days of August draw 117,825 visitors

Sri Lanka crossed the 1.3 million tourist arrivals mark for the year, with over 117,000 visitors registered in the first 19 days of August. 

According to provisional data from the Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority (SLTDA), from 1-19 August, a total of 117,825 visitors arrived in the country, and the year-to-date figure now stands at over 1.31 million.

Tourism industry stakeholders are optimistic that monthly arrivals will exceed 130,000, although the SLTDA is anticipating 187,155 tourists. However, they believe the numbers could have been much higher if the visa processing system had been functioning smoothly. 

In the first week of August, Sri Lanka welcomed 46,617 tourists, but the numbers dipped by 3.5% in the second week to 45,017 arrivals. From 15-19 August, 26,192 tourists arrived.

India remains the largest source market, contributing 21,218 tourists, or 18% of the total arrivals in the first two weeks of August. The UK followed as the second-largest market, with 13,803 visitors, accounting for 12% of arrivals, whilst China ranked third, making up 7.3% of the total tourist inflow.

During the first seven months of 2024, Sri Lanka earned over $ 1.88 billion, marking a remarkable 72% increase from the same period last year. 

However, the industry still faces a 38% shortfall compared to the benchmark year 2018 levels.

Immigration Chief awaits AG instructions on visas