Sri Lanka Tourism: Resilient Surge and Ambitious Goals

Sri Lanka’s tourism industry achieved remarkable growth, earning over $1.4 billion in the first five months of 2024, an 87% increase from the previous year. This milestone, previously reached in nine months, signifies a robust recovery and highlights the sector’s growth potential and resilience. May alone saw $154 million in earnings, a 54% year-on-year rise, despite a 32% month-on-month decline, marking the highest post-COVID earnings.

Tourist arrivals in May totalled 112,128, a 35% year-on-year increase. Despite challenges since the 2019 Easter Sunday attacks, the industry’s resilience and ongoing promotional efforts have renewed confidence. With 900,000 arrivals so far in 2024, Sri Lanka aims to attract 2.3 million visitors and generate over $4 billion this year. The Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority (SLTDA) targets 2.5 million visitors, focusing on high-spending travellers to increase average spending per visitor to $4,000, solidifying Sri Lanka’s position as a top global destination. With wildlife parks in particular being key attractions, it is no surprise that a Yala hotel the likes of Cinnamon Wild Yala are quite popular.