Sri Lanka’s tourism arrivals showed a 23% year-on-year (y-o-y) increase compared to the same period in 2024, data from the Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority (SLTDA) has shown.

Approximately 846,221 tourist arrivals were recorded as of 20 April this year, with 123,945 international arrivals recorded during the first 20 days of April alone, indicating continued momentum in the tourism sector’s recovery.

India continues to dominate as the top source market, contributing 24,776 arrivals in April, followed by the UK (14,060), Russia (10,873), and Germany (9,387).

Notably, emerging markets such as China and Australia are also gaining traction, with arrivals up by 18% and 12%, respectively, compared to early 2024.

Sri Lanka’s tourism earnings reached $ 2.1 billion in the first quarter 2025, a 35% increase from the previous year, according to Central Bank reports.

The recovery has been bolstered by expanded air connectivity, including new routes from key markets, and streamlined visa policies, such as the extended 30-day free visa scheme for travellers from India, China, and 46 other countries.

With arrivals steadily climbing, the sector is poised to reclaim, and potentially exceed, its 2018 peak of 2.5 million tourists, signalling a robust revival for one of the nation’s most critical economic drivers.