Sri Lanka, July 16 -- Sri Lanka's average daily tourist spending has declined to US$148 in 2026 from US$171 recorded during the 2018-2019 period, highlighting the need to increase visitor expenditure alongside boosting tourist arrivals, Deputy Minister of Tourism Ruwan Ranasinghe said.

Addressing a discussion on strengthening the tourism sector in the Kalutara District at the Kalutara District Secretariat on Tuesday (14), the Deputy Minister said the Government is formulating plans to significantly raise the average daily spending of foreign visitors by 2030.

He noted that while US$148 is equivalent to around Rs. 50,000 at current exchange rates, the decline in average spending reflects the need to attract higher-value tourism and encou...