July 01, Colombo (LNW): Sri Lanka witnessed a notable rise in international tourist arrivals during the month of June, with over 116,000 visitors entering the country within the first 26 days alone.
The figures suggest a sustained rebound in the island’s travel and hospitality sectors, which continue to recover from the economic and public health shocks of recent years.
India has once again emerged as the dominant source of inbound travel, accounting for 32,977 of the total arrivals. Travellers from the United Kingdom, China, and Pakistan also featured prominently, alongside several other nations showing increased interest in the destination’s offerings. In total, visitors from nine countries formed the core of this June influx.
Year-to-date figures paint a similarly encouraging picture. By the end of June, international arrivals for 2025 had reached 1,146,272—a clear indication of renewed confidence in Sri Lanka as a viable and appealing holiday destination. The island’s diverse attractions, ranging from cultural heritage sites and wildlife reserves to pristine beaches and adventure tourism, continue to attract global attention.
From a financial perspective, the tourism sector generated approximately US$ 1.543 billion in revenue during the first five months of the year. This marks an increase of nearly 10 per cent compared to the same period in 2024, when earnings stood at US$ 1.4056 billion, according to data released by the Central Bank of Sri Lanka (CBSL).
