The earning of $219 million from tourism in July was reported by a top tourism official, citing data from the Central Bank of Sri Lanka.

It was conveyed by Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority (SLTDA) Chairman Priantha Fernando that the country had been visited by 143,039 tourists last month, compared to the 47,293 visitor arrivals recorded a year earlier, resulting in the generation of approximately $85 million in tourism income.

It was further mentioned that, in the first seven months of this year, $1.09 billion had been earned from tourism, in contrast to the $764.6 million that was recorded a year earlier.

As of August 10, 51,594 tourists had arrived, and over 800,000 tourists have been received in Sri Lanka so far this year.

The aim of Sri Lanka’s tourism industry is to attract 2 million visitors in 2023, surpassing the previous target of 1.5 million.

Tourism, being one of Sri Lanka’s foremost foreign exchange earners, has been adversely affected by the COVID-19 pandemic and the economic and political crises that have occurred in the South Asian country.