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Sri Lanka Earns US$2.25 Billion From Tourism Despite Revenue Dip and Promotion Delays.
Sri Lanka generated approximately US$2.25 billion in tourism earnings during the first nine months of 2026, according to the Central Bank of Sri Lanka (CBSL). However, Sri Lanka tourism revenue declined by 9.2% compared with the corresponding period in 2025, despite a modest recovery in September. The country welcomed 1,693,679 international visitors between January and September, while the government is pursuing a longer-term target of five million annual arrivals by 2030. At the same time, delays to a planned global tourism marketing campaign remain a challenge for the industry.The latest Central Bank figures show that Sri Lanka earned US$2,245.2 million from international tourism between January and September 2026. This compares with US$2,472.9 million during the same period in 2025, representing a decline of approximately US$227.7 million. Although tourism remains an important source of foreign exchange, the figures indicate the sector has not maintained the revenue levels achieved the previous year. The decline also highlights the importance of assessing tourism performance through visitor expenditure rather than arrival numbers alone.
Source: Travel and Tour World
