Sri Lanka’s adventure tourism market which offers commercially operated outdoor activities such as hiking and trekking, is estimated to reach $ 780 million by 2025, and is further projected to expand to $ 2.1 billion by 2035, according to Future Market Insights Inc.
“This represents a robust compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 10.5% over the ten-year period, underscoring the island’s rising appeal as a premier destination for adventure and eco-tourism in South Asia,” the report said.
The website credited the rising global interest in the island to a trend in global travel preference for experiential and sustainable tourism.
“Sri Lanka’s diverse topography - ranging from misty central highlands to coastal rainforests - has emerged as a significant draw. The country’s expanding network of eco-lodges, national parks, and well-maintained hiking trails are driving growth in nature-based travel in Sri Lanka.”
The report named Adam’s Peak (Sri Pada), the Knuckles Mountain Range, and Horton Plains, as top attractive trails, adding that newer trekking routes in Ella, Belihuloya, and Nuwara Eliya are gaining international attention too.
“The government’s efforts to integrate sustainable tourism practices and enhance rural tourism infrastructure are further contributing to the growth of the Sri Lanka trekking tourism sector,” the report said.
It further stated that the local business of hiking and trekking tourism has made significant economic contributions to the local communities across the Central and Uva Provinces.
“The projected $ 2.1 billion market size by 2035 signals not just financial growth but also the creation of employment opportunities in rural areas, bolstering community-led conservation and hospitality initiatives.”
The report stated that a 2025-35 industry forecast highlights several key trends that will shape the hiking and trekking industry in Sri Lanka, which includes: The convergence of digital nomad and wellness travel, cultural-heritage hiking experiences, social media driven outdoor adventures, and sustainable travel commitments.
Sri Lanka’s tourism arrivals posted 18% growth in arrivals in May, continuing its year-on-year (y-o-y) growth trend seen in April from the previous year’s arrivals, data published by the Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority (SLTDA) shows.
The SLTDA reported that 33,910 international tourists visited the island during the first week of May, a significant improvement from the 28,526 recorded during the same period last year.
Alternatively, the statistics published also show a 14.46% increase in arrivals recorded between January and May, from those posted during the same time period in 2024.
With arrivals gradually declining since January, as the peak season for tourism in Sri Lanka comes to an end, Sri Lanka continues to see an average of 5,000 tourists per day.
Meanwhile, the Central Bank of Sri Lanka has announced that tourism earnings for the January to April period have climbed to $ 1,379 million, reflecting a 10.2% increase from the $ 1,251.6 million recorded during the same period in 2024.
Tourism earnings for April alone are estimated at $ 646.1 million, according to the Central Bank.