Sri Lanka’s tourism sector continues to show strong recovery and growth, as evidenced by a 21.6% year-on-year increase in foreign tourist arrivals for November 2024. According to the Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority, the number of tourists reached 184,158, compared to 151,496 in the same month of the previous year.
This significant increase follows an impressive 24.5% surge in October, demonstrating a sustained upward trend in the country’s tourism industry.
India remained the top source market, accounting for 22.3% of the total arrivals, followed by Russia and the UK. These markets have consistently contributed to the robust growth seen in Sri Lanka’s tourism sector.
For the first eleven months of 2024, the total number of foreign tourist arrivals surged by 41.3%, reaching 1,804,873 compared to the same period in the previous year. On a month-to-month basis, November also showed a 35.5% increase in arrivals, underscoring the dynamic recovery of the sector.
The positive trend in tourist arrivals is expected to benefit various related industries, including hospitality, retail, and transportation, thereby driving economic growth and generating employment opportunities across the country. As the peak tourist season approaches, the Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority remains optimistic about maintaining this momentum.