Saturday Apr 19, 2025
Saturday Apr 19, 2025
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Sri Lanka’s tourism industry has reflected a robust upturn, earning over $ 1 billion during the first quarter. It signifies the remarkable recovery and potential growth in the industry, showcasing its resilience and attractiveness as a tourist destination.
The level of performance is particularly noteworthy when compared to the previous year, when reaching such a milestone took the country seven months.
Tourism earnings in the first three months of 2025 were over $ 1.12 billion reflecting a 9.4% increase from the corresponding period of last year, the latest Central Bank data released showed.
March tourism earnings stood at $ 354 million, registering a 5% year-on-year (YoY) increase in tandem with the arrivals.
However, on a month-on-month basis, March earnings experienced a 4% marginal decrease compared to February. This makes the $ 400.66 million generated in January 2025, the highest monthly earnings registered since 2020 thus far. The industry’s peak March earnings remain at $ 460.5 million recorded in 2019.
Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority (SLTDA) and Sri Lanka Tourism Promotion Bureau (SLTPB) Chairman Buddhika Hewawasam recently said it is ramping up tourist engagement initiatives and infrastructure development to boost both experience and revenue.
“The average daily spend per tourist at present is $ 171, and we want it to be increased to over $ 200 through improved services and facilities,” he added.
The resilience in the tourism industry has instilled renewed confidence in the sector’s potential for growth.
With the SLTPB all set to roll out the much-awaited global promotional efforts with a new unified brand identity post-Avurudu, the industry is hopeful of regaining its status as one of the most preferred destinations for travellers worldwide.
The rebound in the sector is further underscored by the surge in arrivals, which totalled an impressive 722,276 in the first three months of 2025, a stark contrast to 635,784.
Despite facing a series of challenges stemming from Easter Sunday attacks in 2019, the industry has not only weathered the multiple storms, but emerged stronger.
For 2025, Sri Lanka Tourism aims to draw 3 million visitors and generate an income of over $ 5 billion. Tourism remains an important source of net foreign exchange earnings for the country, as the foreign currency outflows on account of inputs are minimal.
