The strong performance in January builds on a successful 2024, where the country recorded $3.17 billion in tourism revenue, up 53.2% from the $2.07 billion earned in 2023. The increase in earnings has been bolstered by a rise in foreign visitors, with 252,761 arrivals in January 2025, a 21.4% rise from the 208,253 visitors in January 2024.
Sri Lanka’s tourism sector, which has been recovering from previous setbacks, continues to show resilience, marking a positive start to 2025. The steady growth in revenue and foreign arrivals highlights the country's ongoing appeal as a travel destination.