Sri Lanka’s tourism industry has reached a significant milestone, surpassing the half-a-million mark in total arrivals for the year. This achievement has fueled optimism about meeting the ambitious target of 3 million visitors by the end of 2025.
According to year-to-date (YTD) figures, Sri Lanka welcomed 530,746 tourists, reflecting a 15.1% year-on-year (YoY) growth. This surge was supported by 37,786 arrivals during the same period, marking a 9.12% increase compared to 2024.
Sri Lanka Tourism has projected 302,803 arrivals for March, requiring 265,107 additional visitors in the remaining 26 days. However, despite the YoY growth, the first two months of 2025 fell short of meeting the monthly targets. Achieving the 3 million mark will require consistent momentum, with the industry needing to secure 82.31% of the remaining arrivals over the next nine months.
Tourism Deputy Minister Prof. Ruwan Ranasinghe expressed confidence in reaching the 3 million visitor target. He noted that surpassing 500,000 arrivals early in the year has laid a strong foundation for further growth. In a video message, he announced that new promotional strategies will be launched within this month to sustain and accelerate the current momentum. The Deputy Minister also reaffirmed the Tourism Ministry’s commitment to achieving the target through strategic initiatives and targeted marketing efforts.
As per the latest data from the Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority (SLTDA), India remains the largest source market, contributing 84,476 visitors from 1 January to 5 March 2025. Russia follows with 70,159 tourists, while the UK accounts for 51,105 travellers. In March, Russia has led with 5,768 visitors, followed by India with 5,373 and the UK with 3,847. Other key markets include Germany, France, China, Australia, the Netherlands, Poland, and Bangladesh.
The industry has also seen a financial boost, generating $400.7 million in revenue in January 2025, reflecting a 17.2% YoY increase. With the Government aiming to surpass $5 billion in tourism income this year, efforts are focused on sustaining growth, enhancing promotional campaigns, and improving infrastructure to attract more visitors in the months ahead.
