First 11 months tourism income surpasses US$ 1,100mn

• In November, Sri Lanka earned US$ 107.5mn from tourism

As Sri Lanka is currently witnessing a long-awaited revival in its thrice-battered tourism industry, the country saw the earnings from the trade surpassing US$ 100 million in November after languishing for months since the economy collapsed early this year, sparking country-wide protests which caused political and social mayhem. 

In November, Sri Lanka earned US$ 107.5 million from tourism trade, the first time since April when the country last saw over US$ 100 million from the trade.  This brings the cumulative 11-month income from the trade to US$ 1,129.4 million, compared to US$ 273.6 million in the corresponding period in 2021 when the industry was beset by the pandemic.   After two years of near decimation due to pandemic restrictions and resultant border controls, Sri Lanka was looking for a fast rebound in the tourism trade in 2022.