As of August 2024, Sri Lanka reached a milestone by achieving its target of 1.2 million tourists, reflecting a notable increase in arrivals.
According to official statistics from the Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority (SLTDA), the total number of tourists arriving in the country during the first seven months of 2024 stood at 1,198,059.
July alone saw a record 187,810 tourists, the highest monthly figure in the past four months.
From 1-4 August, 26,889 tourists arrived in the country.
Consequently, the total number of tourists this year has reached 1,224,948.
This period coincides with the annual Esala Perahera festival, which attracts a significant number of foreign tourists for its religious and cultural significance.
Historical data from July and August 2018, when monthly tourist arrivals exceeded 200,000, support this trend. This comparison is made because 2018 was the last year the tourism industry operated normally before disruptions caused by the Easter attacks, the Covid-19 pandemic, and economic challenges.
