Tourist arrival in Sri Lanka grows by 17.5 per cent in March 2014

Sri Lanka saw a year on year growth in March of 17.5 per cent according to government data on revealed on Monday, 07.04.14. Number of foreign visitors have was shown a consistent rise since the

past 59th straight month after the civil war ended in 2009.

Total arrivals had hit a record high in 2013 and the island’s leisure section has also shown a record hit. In March 2013 tourist arrivals in Sri Lanka was 113,208 and in 2014 there was a marked rise of 113,208 a clear 17 per cent growth.

Arrivals in the 2013-14 Jan-March grew by 24.8 per cent.  With a 337,719 rise in 2013 to 421,501 in 2014 a steady growth in arrivals was seen in Sri Lanka. The highest arrival was recorded in between  Jan-Dec  in 2013 of 1,274,593 from 1,005,605 in 2012. There was a clear rice of 26.7 percent in tourist arrival.

The growth of tourism is clearly being reflected on the economy of the country. It has earned an average of 32.2 U.S. dollars between 2013 -14. In 2013 January the average USD earning was $122.0 which lifted to a $161.2 in 2014. Record high tourism revenue was seen in Jan-Dec of $1,402.1 USD from $1,038.7 USD in 2012.

Tourism is strong foreign exchange earner and it has uplifted Sri Lanka’s economy by $67 billion. Other industries that bring high revenues for the country are garment and tea industries.