Sri Lanka tourism revenue doubles y-o-y in November, eyes growth in 2024

Sri Lanka’s tourism sector has shown a remarkable recovery, with the Central Bank of Sri Lanka reporting a significant surge in earnings. In November 2023, the island nation’s tourism revenue reached $205.3 million, marking a substantial increase from the $81 million recorded in the same month of 2022. This boost is part of a broader upward trend for the year, with January to November revenues climbing to $1.8 billion—a 78.3% jump compared to the previous year.

The country has seen an influx of international tourists, with over 151,000 visitors in November alone, contributing to a total of 1.27 million tourists for the first eleven months of 2023. This figure represents the highest number of monthly visitors Sri Lanka has welcomed this year.

In an effort to maintain this positive trajectory, Sri Lanka has implemented strategic measures such as waiving visa fees for travelers from key markets including China and India. These initiatives are part of a broader plan to boost tourism, which is a vital component of the nation’s economy.

During a parliamentary speech on Thursday, Minister Ali Sabry shared his optimistic outlook for the future of Sri Lanka’s tourism industry. He highlighted that new airline services will be instrumental in increasing tourist numbers and forecasted further growth in 2024.

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