Officials from Sri Lanka’s tourism industry recently confirmed that the sector is on a strong upward trajectory, with more than 1.16 million visitors arriving in the country so far this year. If current trends continue, Sri Lanka could surpass its benchmark year of 2018.
Tourism Ministry Secretary Somarathne Vidanapathirana expressed optimism about the sector’s recovery, highlighting the combined efforts of the Government, private sector, and affiliated institutions. Speaking at a press briefing titled ‘Two Years of Progress and Advancement’ at the Presidential Media Centre, Vidanapathirana noted that Sri Lanka welcomed 719,978 tourists in 2022 and saw an increase to 1,487,303 visitors in 2023.
As of July 25, 2024, the number of visitors has already reached over 1.16 million, with the potential to exceed the visitor numbers of 2018, which peaked at 2,333,796 visitors and $4.4 billion in revenue. “If the current positive trend continues, the number of foreign tourists and the revenue generated by the end of 2024 could surpass 2018 levels,” Vidanapathirana stated.
Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority (SLTDA) Deputy Director General P.U. Rathnayake reported that tourism revenue for the first half of 2024 totaled approximately $1.55 billion. The SLTDA is focused on promoting sustainable tourism and has several large-scale resort projects underway in Kuchchaveli, Kalpitiya, and Dedduwa, with future developments in Kuchchaveli, Kalpitiya, and Yala available for investment.
By mid-2024, the SLTDA had registered 12,213 service providers, including 4,534 tourist accommodations, 4,923 tourist guides, and 2,756 other service providers. The authority has also implemented registration awareness and mobile programs in key locations such as Pasikuda, Batticaloa, Kitulgala, Kataragama, Meemure, Ella, Pinnawala, and Galle.
Additionally, national resorts for local tourists are operational in Bandarawela, Kataragama, Anuradhapura, and Nuwara Eliya.
Sri Lanka’s tourism sector has demonstrated substantial progress over the past two years, with numerous development projects and successful marketing initiatives contributing to a robust recovery. Key achievements include the completion of projects such as Aluthnuwara, Madunagala, Dunhinda, Rajanawa Falls, Sandathanna Agricultural Project, Gatabaruwa Tourism Centre, and the Mount Lavinia Tourist Police Unit.
As of June 2024, the Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority (SLTDA) has approved 16 investment projects, totaling 224 rooms and an investment of approximately $25.39 million. Future plans include developing a marine tourism roadmap, establishing tourism development areas, creating master zoning plans in collaboration with the Urban Development Authority (UDA), and implementing a micro-grid solar energy program to address the energy crisis.
Sri Lanka Tourism Promotion Bureau (SLTPB) Chairman Chalaka Gajabahu highlighted several successful marketing initiatives, including the ‘Seeing is Believing’ project, which hosted 189 international travel bloggers and communicators, resulting in media coverage valued at over Rs. 1 billion. The Marketing Division also participated in 15 major travel fairs and 29 road shows, including ITB in Germany, WTM in London, ATM in Dubai, IFTM in France, and SATTE in India, promoting Sri Lankan tourism to over 75 travel agencies and hotel professionals. A notable project involved hosting 500 Indian travel agents and 50 Indian journalists at the TAAI conference held in Sri Lanka for the first time.
The SLTPB launched a new brand identity in 2023 under the theme ‘Sri Lanka – You’ll come back for more,’ which received significant international acclaim in 2024. Gajabahu also announced the launch of global tourism promotion programs focusing on digital and social media campaigns in Britain, Germany, France, India, and China.
Sri Lanka Institute of Tourism and Hotel Management (SLITHM) Chairman Shirantha Peiris reported that the institute trained thousands of students between 2021 and 2023 and plans to train over 10,000 trainees in 2024. SLITHM is collaborating with national and international institutions to advance tourism and hospitality programs.
Department of National Zoological Gardens Deputy Director (Planning) H.G. Jayasekara reported a strong recovery in visitor numbers to Sri Lanka’s botanical gardens, with local tourist visits reaching 1,773,048 in 2022 and 1,925,129 in 2023. Foreign tourist numbers increased from 103,322 in 2022 to 227,729 in 2023. By June 2024, botanical gardens welcomed 965,468 local tourists and 183,674 foreign tourists, with revenue rising significantly from Rs. 420.02 million in 2022 to Rs. 901.1 million in 2023, and reaching Rs. 735.56 million by mid-2024.