Sri Lanka’s tourism sector kicked off April recording 38,615 tourist arrivals for the first six days of the month, which is a 11.5 percent year-on-year growth, the latest data from the Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority showed.
According to First Capital Research, the tourist arrivals for the month are projected at 194,863 arrivals, up from 148,867 arrivals last year and all-time-high of 180,429 arrivals recorded in 2018.
India retained its position as the top source market, contributing 6,548 tourists (17 percent), though its dominance slightly eased compared to 2024’s 18 percent share for the full month.
Meanwhile, the UK surged to the second place, with 5,438 arrivals, accounting for a 14.1 percent share in arrivals when compared to just 9 percent in April 2024. The tourist arrivals from Russia dropped to the third position, with 4,185 arrivals, accounting for a 10.8 percent share, marginally up from a 10 percent share recorded in April 2024.
In the period, Australia (7.2 percent) and Bangladesh (4.9 percent) gained ground coming at the fourth and sixth positions while China’s share fell to 3 percent when compared to 6 percent in April 2024.
From January 1 to April 6 this year, Sri Lanka welcomed 760,891 tourists, up by 3 percent from the 2024 comparable figure (784,651).
India (124,863) retained its spot as the top source market, followed by Russia (97,753) and the UK (75,143). Notably, ranked at the 11th position, Bangladesh (16,489) emerged as one of the top rising markets in the period.
