Sri Lanka aims to attract four million tourists and generate US$ 8 billion in revenue by 2030, Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism Minister Vijitha Herath announced during the India-Sri Lanka Tourism Relations programme in Colombo, yesterday (19).
Speaking at the event, Minister Herath highlighted tourism as a key pillar of the country’s economy, noting that Sri Lanka recently welcomed its two millionth tourist a milestone indicating a strong recovery.
He outlined the country’s tourism priorities, including sustainability, market diversification, improved air connectivity, and digital transformation. The Minister added that Sri Lanka is aligning its national tourism strategy with global trends, including AI integration, in line with the “Riyadh Declaration on the Future of Tourism.”
Minister Herath also pointed to a surge in Indian tourist arrivals following the introduction of visa-free access and targeted promotional campaigns, establishing Sri Lanka as a top short-haul destination for Indian travellers.
Emerging tourism segments identified by the Minister include MICE tourism, heritage trails, beach tourism, hospitality investments, and film tourism. He highlighted the potential for religious tourism through Buddhist pilgrimage routes and Ramayana trail programs.
“The 2,500-year relationship between Sri Lanka and India makes tourism cooperation both natural and mutually beneficial,” Minister Herath said, expressing hope that the initiative would further strengthen bilateral ties and open new avenues for collaboration in the years ahead.
