Sri Lanka sees tourism growth in December.

Sri Lanka’s tourism industry showed positive growth in December 2024, with 248,592 tourists arriving, marking a 35% increase compared to November and an 18.18% boost compared to December 2023. By the end of the month, total tourist arrivals reached 2,053,465, reflecting the sector’s steady recovery. This growth highlights the success of ongoing tourism strategies and positions Sri Lanka as an emerging tourism hub.

The main source markets for Sri Lanka’s tourism in December were India, Russia, the United Kingdom, Germany, and Australia. The increase in arrivals from these countries has significantly contributed to the growth of the industry, providing a strong foundation for future development.

Globally, the tourism sector has also seen significant growth, with the UNWTO reporting 1.1 billion international tourist arrivals from January to September 2024, an 11% increase over 2023. International arrivals have reached 98% of pre-pandemic levels, with expectations that 2024 will end on par with 2019 figures, despite the ongoing economic and geopolitical challenges.

Source: SLTDA Monthly Tourist Arrivals Report December 2024 SLTDA