April Sees Strong Momentum as Daily Arrivals Average Over 6,200
Sri Lanka’s tourism sector continued its robust rebound in 2025, with 93,915 international visitors recorded during the first 15 days of April, pushing year-to-date (YTD) arrivals to an impressive 816,191, according to data from the Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority (SLTDA).
India remains the island’s largest source market, contributing 19.4% of April’s arrivals with 18,220 visitors and totaling 136,535 visitors so far this year. The United Kingdom follows closely behind, delivering 11,425 arrivals in April and 102,273 YTD, while Russia holds a strong third position with 8,705 arrivals this month and 81,130 for the year.
Strong Year-on-Year Growth Fuels Optimism
March 2025 saw 229,298 arrivals, reflecting a 9.62% year-over-year (YoY) growth. Australia (6,604 arrivals in April) and Germany (7,746) also showed robust performance, adding to the sector’s upward trajectory. With an average of 6,261 daily arrivals, Sri Lanka is on track to surpass 1.5 million visitors by mid-year if the current trend continues.
Analysts credit the recovery to improved international air connectivity and focused marketing campaigns targeting key markets, helping to rekindle interest among traditional and new demographics alike.
2025 Projections: Eyeing a Two-Million Milestone
The SLTDA reports double-digit growth across all major source markets compared to 2024, suggesting a broad-based and sustainable recovery. With peak tourist season approaching, officials project that total arrivals could reach close to two million by the end of 2025 — a figure that would mark a full recovery to pre-crisis tourism levels and solidify tourism’s status as one of Sri Lanka’s top foreign exchange earners.