Tourism & Leisure

Blessed with natural and cultural endowments throughout the island, Sri Lanka is home to a rich and diverse Tourism & Leisure industry which is the economy’s third largest foreign exchange earner. Accordingly, the government has positioned tourism as a central pillar of the economy which is poised for resurgence in the wake of increasing tourist arrivals with a focus on investments that provide world-class visitor experiences in established sub-sectors and new offerings.

Key Facts

  • 38.07% YoY growth in arrivals
  • $ 181 Foreign exchange receipts per tourist per day
  • Free visa for tourists from 40 countries
  • 192 BOI Enterprises
  • Emphasis on eco-tourism, community engagement, and digital transformation

Priority Areas (Investment Opportunities)

  • Tourist Accommodation & Services (Hotels, Transit Hotels, Resorts, Villas, Higher-end restaurants, Convention Centres, MICE Tourism, Wellness Tourism)
  • Leisure & Recreational (Golf Course, Entertainment Complexes, Theme Parks, Tourist
  • Shopping Complexes, Eco-Lodges, Camping, Whale & Dolphin Watching, Water Sports)
  • Adventure & Eco Tourism (Adventure parks)
  • Transportation (Yacht Marina, Coastal Ferry Services, Cruise Lines)
  • Skill Development: Hotel / Hospitality Training Institutes
  • Marine & Coastal Infrastructure
Annual Tourists Arrivals (Mn) (2015-2024)
Tourists Arrivals by Purpose of Visit (2024)
Source : SLTDA
Distribution of Employment in Tourism Industry (2023)
SLTDA Registered Accommodations(2017-2024)
Source : SLTDA

Total Direct Employment over the years (2015-2023)

Source Markets (2024)

Scroll to Top