By: Isuru Parakrama
October 06, Colombo (LNW): Sri Lanka’s tourism sector has recorded a notable boost in foreign exchange earnings, with revenue reaching US$ 181 million in September 2024, a significant rise from the US$ 152 million earned during the same month last year.
This growth reflects the sector’s robust recovery as international travel rebounds.
The tourism industry’s performance has been exceptional throughout 2024, with revenue for the first nine months of the year reaching US$ 2.35 billion, marking a substantial 61.2 per cent increase compared to the US$ 1.46 billion accumulated during the corresponding period in 2023, according to the Central Bank of Sri Lanka (CBSL).
This surge in earnings underscores the critical role tourism plays in strengthening Sri Lanka’s foreign exchange reserves.
The Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority (SLTDA) has also highlighted an encouraging rise in tourist arrivals. In September alone, 122,140 international visitors arrived, reflecting a 9.11 per cent increase compared to the 111,938 arrivals recorded in September 2023.
This uptick contributes to a cumulative total of 1.48 million tourists for the first nine months of 2024, placing the country well on track to achieve its goal of 2.3 million arrivals by year-end.
India remained the top source of tourists in September, contributing 27,884 visitors, while China followed with 9,078 arrivals.
The steady inflow of tourists from these key markets reinforces Sri Lanka’s position as a preferred destination in the region, helping to revive its tourism-dependent economy.
