Sri Lanka’s tourism sector achieved a historic milestone in 2025, welcoming 2,362,521 visitors—surpassing the previous record of 2,333,796 arrivals set in 2018. The figure represents a 15.1% year-on-year increase compared to 2024, amounting to more than 300,000 additional tourists.
Tourism Sees December Surge, Setting Monthly Record
According to the Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority (SLTDA), December 2025 alone saw 258,928 arrivals, the highest monthly figure since 2018. India led the inflow with 56,715 visitors, followed by Russia (27,987), the United Kingdom (20,535), and Germany (16,707). For the full year, India remained the top source market, with the UK, Russia, and Germany ranking second, third, and fourth, respectively.
At a press briefing in Colombo, Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism Minister Vijitha Herath highlighted that the record-breaking performance reflects Sri Lanka’s resilience as a destination, despite multiple setbacks. He noted that the achievement marks a pivotal milestone for an industry that has endured the Easter Sunday attacks in 2019, the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, the severe economic crisis of 2022, persistent global travel advisories, and the impact of Cyclone Ditwah in November 2025.
Strategic Push for 2026
Looking ahead, SLTDA has set an ambitious target of 3 million arrivals in 2026, a 27% year-on-year increase. Key initiatives include:
• Indian Market Focus: Roadshows in Mumbai engaging over 100 major tour operators, supported by collaboration with the Travel Agents Association of India.
• Visa-Free Entry Scheme: Scheduled for rollout in the first quarter of 2026 to ease travel barriers and boost competitiveness.
• Regional Expansion: Targeting Singapore, Malaysia, and Taiwan through the “Buddhist circuit,” while pivoting toward the Americas and Asia Pacific.
Earning and Spending Adjustments
Tourism earnings in 2025 are estimated at $3.2 billion, slightly above the $3.17 billion recorded in 2024. However, SLTDA revised its per-day spending estimate from $171 (based on a 2018 survey) to $148, reflecting updated assessments in August 2025.
Investment and Capacity Growth
SLTDA Chairman Buddhika Hewawasam noted that the recovery mirrors the rapid growth seen in 2010 after the civil conflict, when tourism expanded by 46.1%. He highlighted:
• $329 million in investments secured in 2025 across 126 projects.
• Plans to attract $500 million in investments in 2026.
• Addition of 4,600 new rooms in 2025, bringing total registered capacity to over 58,000 rooms.
Long-Term Outlook
Despite delays in global marketing and visa-free initiatives, industry stakeholders remain optimistic. Under its five-year plan to 2030, the government aims to attract over 5 million visitors annually and generate $8 billion in tourism revenue, positioning tourism as a cornerstone of Sri Lanka’s economic recovery.
