Tourism has been a driving force of Sri Lanka's rising GDP growth figures over the last decade. Since the end of the civil war, the number of tourists visiting the country has gone from less than 500,000 in 2009 to just around 2.5 million in 2019, according to Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority. The tourism sector was the country's third-largest and fastest-growing source of foreign currency in 2018, behind foreign remittances and textile exports - which account for almost half of all Sri Lankan exports.
Tourism is worth almost $4.4 billion to Sri Lanka each year, accounting for almost 5% of the country's annual GDP. It accounts for over 800,000 jobs (around ten percent of total employment in the country depends on the tourism sector, both directly and indirectly.
An island nation of tropical beaches, Sri Lanka has a wealth of both natural beauty and cultural attractions. It is a beautiful, exotic destination full of culture, nature, wildlife, and amazing hospitality. The island is home to some of the friendliest people always eager to help out. Most Sri Lankans sincerely want you to have a good time. Travelers to the island nation can be secure in the fact that the country as a whole is largely safe. Unlike other destinations in Asia, Sri Lanka makes for an inexpensive holiday depending on what you do.
Sri Lankan food is mouthwateringly delicious such as kottu roti, egg hoppers, fresh crab curry, and coconut sambal, dhal curry, gotu kola mallung (salad) and wood apple juice to name a few. There is an abundance of Sri Lankan food across the country including both fine dining and street food vendors. And of course don’t forget the local tea, as tea production is a huge industry for the country. The most well-known tea brand is Dilmah and they have an eclectic warehouse-inspired décor and some of the best Sri Lankan teas including a variety of fruit-flavored iced teas and appetizing snacks.
