Sri Lanka’s tourism earnings rise 10% YoY to $ 1.7 billion in 1st half
Daily FT: Sri Lanka’s tourism industry has posted a moderate rebound in the first half of 2025, with earnings rising 10% year-on-year (YoY) to over $ 1.71 billion, according to the latest data released by the Central Bank.
Given the ambitious targets by year-end, the sector faces an uphill battle to meet $ 5 billion in earnings and 3 million arrivals after a mixed performance in the first half of 2025.
In June, tourism earnings stood at $ 169.5 million, reflecting a 12% YoY increase. However, it was still the second lowest income so far this year, ahead of only May’s $ 164.13 million. Despite this, June 2025 recorded the highest monthly revenue since 2018.
The $ 400.66 million generated in January 2025 is the highest monthly earnings registered since 2020 thus far, whilst the industry’s peak June earnings remain at $ 275.6 million recorded in 2018.
OSL take:
Sri Lanka’s tourism industry, while recording steady growth, has also become a key revenue source for the country. This growth has opened a host of business/investment opportunities both direct and indirect in the tourism industry as well as in related sectors like leisure and hospitality. With Sri Lanka being identified as a must visit tourist destination in key tourist source markets and local authorities continuing to expand the tourism concepts presented to foreign visitors to the country have added to the business/investment opportunities in Sri Lanka’s tourism industry and related sectors. Apart from the increasing tourist arrivals to the country, the interest shown by international leisure and hospitality brands to enter Sri Lanka’s tourism industry are clear indications of the growth and business potential in the industry. All these factors indicate that Sri Lanka’s tourism industry and related sectors present lucrative ventures for foreign businesses/investors on the lookout for opportunities in the South Asian region, especially in Sri Lanka.
| Article Code : | VBS/AT/20250709/Z_8 |