Sri Lanka's tourism earnings dropped by 9.2% during the first nine months of 2026, even though the country welcomed nearly 1.7 million international visitors, according to the Central Bank of Sri Lanka. Earnings totaled US$ 2.25 billion from January to September, down from US$ 2.47 billion in the same period last year.
Tourist arrivals also decreased by 1.8% to 1,693,679 during the nine-month period. The decline in earnings was significantly sharper than the drop in visitor numbers, indicating lower spending per tourist. In September alone, arrivals fell marginally by 0.3% to 158,557, but earnings for that month rose by 1.5% to US$ 186 million.
Meanwhile, Sri Lankans' spending on foreign travel surged by 62.4% to US$ 937.2 million in the first nine months of 2026, compared to US$ 577 million a year earlier. This increase in travel and air transport payments contributed to a 22.3% reduction in the country's services account surplus, which fell to US$ 2.21 billion.
The tourism earnings estimates are based on a revised methodology introduced by the Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority in May 2026, which factors in country-specific visitor arrivals, average daily spending, and average length of stay.
For travelers, the decline in tourism earnings despite steady visitor numbers suggests that tourists may be spending less on average, potentially offering more competitive pricing for services and accommodations in Sri Lanka.
