$3.7 Billion Earned from Tourism in First Half of 2025, Says Minister Herath
Sri Lanka Earns $3.7 Billion from Tourism in First Half of 2025
Minister of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment, and Tourism Vijitha Herath announced that Sri Lanka has earned $3.7 billion from tourism during the first six months of 2025. Speaking at an event held at the Seeta Amman Kovil in Nuwara Eliya, the minister emphasized that the tourism industry is playing a vital role in the country’s economic recovery.
He stated that the government expects to earn an additional $3.7 billion in the second half of the year, bringing the total projected tourism revenue for 2025 to $7.4 billion.
According to Herath, 1.3 million tourists have visited Sri Lanka so far this year. He highlighted that Indian tourists form the largest group of arrivals, with many visiting religious and cultural sites such as the Koneswaram Temple and Kataragama.
“That is a major strength for us,” he noted. “As you know, we were economically bankrupt. To recover from that situation, we need to rapidly develop the tourism industry. We are working toward that goal.”
Minister Herath added that the government is on track to meet its target of attracting 3 million tourists by the end of 2025.
