Sri Lanka has experienced a significant boost in earnings from tourism and workers’ remittances in the first half of 2024, according to the latest weekly report from the Central Bank of Sri Lanka (CBSL). 

Earnings from tourism surged to over $1.5 billion in the first six months of 2024, marking a remarkable 77.9% increase compared to the same period in 2023. This substantial rise underscores the rebound of the tourism sector, a critical component of Sri Lanka’s economy.

Tourist arrivals also saw a significant uptick, with 1.01 million visitors recorded in the year’s first half. This represents a 61.7% increase from the same period in 2023, demonstrating a robust recovery in international travel to Sri Lanka.

In June alone, tourism earnings reached $113.4 million, compared to $100.3 million in June of the previous year.

Workers’ remittances, another major source of foreign revenue for Sri Lanka, also showed substantial growth. In the first six months of 2024, remittances totalled $3.14 billion, up from $2.82 billion in the same period last year. In June 2024, remittance earnings amounted to $519.6 million.