January 27, Colombo (LNW): Sri Lanka has enjoyed a remarkable surge in tourist arrivals in the first three weeks of January 2025, with provisional figures from the Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority (SLTDA) revealing that over 177,000 international visitors have arrived on the island so far.
This marks a significant 19 per cent increase compared to the same period last year, when 148,898 tourists visited the country.
Between January 1 and 22, a total of 177,403 people arrived in Sri Lanka, equating to an average of approximately 8,063 arrivals per day.
The weekly average is around 59,000, a promising sign that the tourism sector is rebounding strongly after challenges in recent years.
India continues to be the largest source of tourists, contributing 17.4 per cent of all arrivals. This is followed by the Russian Federation, which accounts for 14.4 per cent of the total influx.
The United Kingdom, traditionally a major market for Sri Lankan tourism, remains in third place, with 8.4 per cent of the arrivals. Germany, another key European market, is close behind, contributing 6.6 per cent of the total number of tourists.
In addition to these top markets, Sri Lanka has also seen interest from other significant countries, including China, Australia, France, the United States, Poland, and the Netherlands.
The variety of international visitors highlights the island’s growing appeal as a destination for diverse travellers, with people from across the globe seeking to explore its rich culture, stunning landscapes, and renowned hospitality.
Industry experts are optimistic that the strong start to the year will continue, with many expecting tourism numbers to rise further in the coming months as Sri Lanka continues to promote its attractions to new and returning visitors.
