The Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority (SLTDA) has reported a notable surge in international tourist arrivals, with 33,910 visitors recorded during the first week of May 2025—a significant increase compared to the same period in previous years.
This growth reflects a steady upward trend in Sri Lanka’s tourism recovery:
- May 2023 (first week): 18,761 arrivals
- May 2024 (first week): 28,526 arrivals
- May 2025 (first week): 33,910 arrivals
As of May 07, total arrivals for 2025 have reached 930,794, with an average of 5,000 tourists arriving daily, even with the usual seasonal slowdown from Western markets post-winter.
Complementing this rise in arrivals, the Central Bank of Sri Lanka reported that tourism earnings from January to April 2025 reached USD 1,379 million, marking a 10.2% increase compared to USD 1,251.6 million during the same period in 2024.
For April 2025 alone, estimated tourism earnings stood at USD 646.1 million, highlighting tourism’s growing contribution to Sri Lanka’s economy.
This upward trajectory signals strong global interest in Sri Lanka as a travel destination and reflects effective tourism strategies and ongoing promotional efforts.
Would you like a brief chart visualizing the year-on-year comparison of arrivals and earnings?
