Sri Lanka’s Tourism Triumph: Soaring to New Heights as a Foreign Exchange Leader

Chairman of the Sri Lanka Tourism Promotion Bureau, Chalaka Gajabahu, proudly announced a historic milestone for the nation’s tourism sector. For the first time, tourism has claimed the position of the second-highest foreign exchange earner for Sri Lanka, surpassing the previous slot held by apparel exports. A notable 20% dip in apparel exports has inadvertently propelled tourism to this elevated status.

Gajabahu also revealed an optimistic revision of the arrival target, now set at 1.7 million, anticipating a surge of 200,000 to 250,000 visitors in November and December. The implementation of free visa on arrival is expected to further bolster arrivals by 10%. With over 1.1 million tourist arrivals already recorded, Sri Lanka’s tourism is flourishing, signalling a prosperous period. The industry contributed around USD 1.7 billion in revenue, with ambitious projections envisioning a USD 5 billion revenue by 2030, emphasizing a strategic focus on high-end tourists. As visitors rush to the coasts, their enthusiasm will be equally matched by the hospitality provided by a Sri Lanka beach resort the likes of Dolphin Beach Resort.