Sri Lanka's Drawing More Tourists Again: Can Tourism Rescue Its Economy? | Insight

Three years ago, Sri Lanka teetered on the edge of economic collapse. Three years on, the country appears to be on the road to recovery. Though the island nation still has many obstacles ahead, one bright spot is the revival of its tourism industry. Tourism has been a key source of foreign currency, and a way for the government to show that Sri Lanka is stable, investment-friendly destination. It hopes to attract 3 million visitors this year, an increase of about 30% from 2024 numbers.

Is it a sustainable pathway out of its economic doldrums? And, while most locals welcome the opportunities that tourism brings, in some pockets, friction with foreigners has left Sri Lankans feeling unwelcomed in their own homes.

00:00 Introduction
01:26 Tourists return to Sri Lanka
03:50 Sri Lanka's 2022 debt crisis, explained.
07:00 Can tourism turn Sri Lanka's economy around?
12:30 Challenge of relying on tourism
13:35 Sri Lanka’s tourism push
18:15 A focus on luxury travel
20:10 Homestays as alternative accommodations
22:11 Youth employment in tourism
25:12 Foreign competition at Arugam Bay
35:13 Sri Lankans welcome tourists
37:05 Can tourism be catalyst for growth in other sectors?
42:29 Future for tourism in Sri Lanka?

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