Sri Lanka witnessed a historic surge in tourist arrivals during December 2024, with 233,087 visitors recorded between December 1st and 29th, according to the Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority (SLTDA). This remarkable achievement underscores the island’s growing allure as a premier travel destination, capping off a year marked by consistent growth in tourism.
India emerged as the leading source market, contributing 21.8% of the total arrivals, followed by the Russian Federation at 13.7%, and the United Kingdom at 7.5%. Other top contributors included Germany, Australia, and China, highlighting Sri Lanka’s diverse appeal to travelers worldwide.
December’s performance not only broke monthly records for 2024 but also contributed significantly to the year’s total of over 2 million tourist arrivals. Enhanced connectivity, strategic promotions, and the country’s rich cultural and natural offerings are key factors driving this success.
Sri Lanka’s tourism stakeholders are optimistic about sustaining this momentum into 2025, with plans to capitalize on the positive trend and further strengthen the industry’s contribution to the national economy.
