Government targets increase in average tourist spending of US$148

Colombo, July 14 (Daily Mirror) - The government is targeting a significant increase in tourist spending by 2030 as part of its strategy to strengthen Sri Lanka's tourism industry, Deputy Minister of Tourism Ruwan Ranasinghe said.

Speaking on the government's tourism development plans, the Deputy Minister said a recent study was conducted to assess tourist spending patterns following the COVID-19 pandemic.

"On average, a tourist visiting Sri Lanka spends US$148. Back in 2018–2019, that figure was US$171. Our goal is to increase this average tourist spending by 2030. By raising the amount each visitor spends, we can make a greater contribution to the country's economy, the Deputy Minister said.

He said that increasing tourist spending is essential to maximizing the economic benefits of the tourism sector. Achieving this goal, he said, will require improving the quality of tourism products and enhancing the overall visitor experience.

Ranasinghe said that the government plans to introduce more high-quality and engaging tourism experiences that encourage visitors to spend more, while also working to increase tourist arrivals to achieve the country's long-term tourism revenue targets.