September 12, Colombo (LNW): Sri Lanka has witnessed a strong influx of nearly 1.4 million tourists so far this year, reflecting a robust recovery in the country’s tourism sector.
The Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority (SLTDA) announced that, from January 1 to September 8, a total of approximately 1,395,773 visitors arrived on the island.
February saw the highest number of arrivals, with 218,350 tourists recorded, while both January and March also exceeded 200,000 visitors.
This steady stream of tourists highlights Sri Lanka’s appeal as a destination despite global economic uncertainties and challenges in the travel industry.
Tourists from India, Britain, Russia, Germany, and China constituted the majority of international visitors, showcasing a diverse mix of arrivals from both neighbouring and distant countries.
Sri Lanka has been actively promoting its rich cultural heritage, scenic landscapes, and hospitality to attract these key markets, leading to the encouraging numbers recorded this year.
In comparison, the previous year saw a total of 1,487,303 tourists, and 2024 is on track to potentially surpass that figure.
The island nation’s tourism sector, a critical contributor to the economy, has been recovering steadily after years of disruption caused by the pandemic, and these latest figures signal a positive outlook for the rest of the year.
