## SLTDA to Launch Tourism Revenue Leakage Survey 📈

The Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority (SLTDA) will launch a comprehensive tourism leakage survey late this month to determine the actual retention of foreign exchange within the domestic economy. This follow-up study aims to refine the "net economic gain" after recent data showed a decline in average visitor spending. • Spending Revisions The survey follows a sharp downward revision of average daily tourist spending from US$ 171 to US$ 148 (based on August 2025 assessments). This update replaces outdated 2018 benchmarks to better reflect current market dynamics. • Spending by Segment • Package Tourists: Highest value at US$ 214.90 per day, dominated by the UK market and travelers aged 60+. • Independent Travellers: Averaged US$ 148.26 per day, with Russian tourists leading this category. These visitors tend to distribute spending across local transport and community-based experiences. • Leakage Factors The study will systematically measure "leakage"—revenue that exits the country via: • Imports of specialized food, beverages, and luxury amenities. • Repatriation of profits by foreign-owned hotels and airlines. • Commissions to overseas marketing agents and foreign worker remittances. • Economic Impact Understanding these outflows is critical for Sri Lanka's policy formulation, ensuring that tourism growth translates into higher local incomes and employment rather than just rising arrival numbers. _Note: Analysis is based on provisional data from the 2024/2025 national airport exit survey._