Sri Lanka has witnessed a notable increase in both tourism earnings and foreign remittances, reflecting a positive trend in the country’s economy.
In October 2024, the tourism sector earned $185.6 million, contributing to a total of $2,533.7 million in tourism revenue for the first ten months of the year. This marks a significant 59% growth compared to the $1,593.4 million earned during the same period in 2023.
The Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority reports that 30,620 foreign tourists visited the country in the first five days of November 2024 alone, bringing the total number of arrivals for the year to 1,651,335. India led the list of tourist origins, with 7,785 visitors, followed by Russia with 4,488 tourists. Tourists also arrived in significant numbers from Germany, the United Kingdom, Australia, and China.
In parallel, the Central Bank of Sri Lanka revealed that the total foreign remittances for the first ten months of 2024 reached $5,431 million. October alone saw an increase of 11.7%, with remittances amounting to $587.7 million, compared to the same period in 2023.
This upward trend in tourism and remittances underscores a positive shift in Sri Lanka’s economic recovery.
