By: Staff Writer
January 25, Colombo (LNW): Sri Lanka’s tourism industry entered 2026 under pressure from extreme weather, yet early data suggests the sector is displaying a surprising level of resilience. The recent cyclone and subsequent landslides that devastated parts of the Central Highlands disrupted travel routes, damaged infrastructure, and forced temporary closures of popular hill-country attractions. However, arrivals data from January 2026 and evolving market dynamics indicate that tourism demand remains steady, albeit increasingly uneven across regions.
Provisional figures show that Sri Lanka welcomed 194,553 visitors in the first 22 days of January 2026, reflecting a 10% year-on-year increase compared to the same period last year. This growth comes despite adverse weather conditions that particularly affected Nuwara Eliya, Badulla, and parts of Kandy, areas traditionally reliant on nature-based and scenic tourism.
Industry analysts note that the continuity of arrivals—averaging nearly 8,850 tourists per day—signals confidence among international travellers, even as domestic authorities grapple with post-disaster recovery. The consistency across the first three weeks of January suggests that demand is not limited to peak holiday spillover but reflects deeper market strength.
India continues to dominate as Sri Lanka’s largest source market, contributing over 35,000 arrivals, followed by Russia and the UK. However, a closer look at recent trends reveals that non-traditional markets are increasingly shaping the industry’s growth trajectory, a shift that may prove crucial during periods of disruption.
In 2025, Sri Lanka recorded a historic 2.36 million tourist arrivals, with standout growth from South Asian and European secondary markets. Pakistan and Bangladesh posted year-on-year growth exceeding 50%, while Italy, Malaysia, and the Netherlands also registered strong gains. This diversification has reduced reliance on a narrow group of traditional markets, helping cushion the impact of unforeseen shocks such as natural disasters.
Tourism stakeholders argue that this broader source base enhances resilience, allowing the industry to recover faster when certain regions or products are temporarily compromised. While arrivals from China and Germany grew modestly, markets such as Australia, Japan, and Spain continued to expand steadily, supported by improving air connectivity and niche travel demand.
Against this backdrop, the Government has reiterated its commitment to long-term expansion, targeting 3 million arrivals and $5 billion in revenue in 2026, even as restoration work continues in disaster-affected areas. Plans to introduce a free-visa regime for over 40 countries and roll out a unified national tourism brand are expected to further strengthen demand.
As climate-related disruptions become more frequent, Sri Lanka’s evolving tourism landscape—anchored by market diversification and steady regional demand may prove to be its strongest defence.
