Sri Lanka’s tourist arrivals have reached 2.25 million as of yesterday, despite a slowdown in the first two weeks of December caused by Cyclone Ditwah, a Tourism Ministry official said.
According to the Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority (SLTDA), 212,906 tourists arrived in the country in November, marking a 15.6 per cent increase compared to the same month last year.
The Authority noted that total tourist arrivals from January to November 31, 2025, stood at 2,103,593, reflecting a growth of 16.6 per cent year-on-year. The lowest monthly arrivals were recorded in May, with 132,919 visitors.
“These figures demonstrate a strong recovery momentum in the tourism sector following the Covid-19 pandemic and the subsequent economic crisis,” the SLTDA said, highlighting a steady upward trend throughout the year.
September recorded the most significant growth, with arrivals rising by an impressive 30.2 per cent, indicating Sri Lanka’s growing success in attracting visitors during the traditional shoulder season. Strong double-digit growth was also observed in January, April, May, June, August, October, and November, pointing to consistent demand across multiple tourism periods.
Europe emerged as the leading source market in November, contributing 108,100 tourists, accounting for 50.8 per cent of total arrivals for the month. This strong European presence is attributed to favourable winter travel trends and well-established travel connections.
India remained the single largest source country, with 51,391 tourists arriving in November, followed by Russia with 24,953 visitors. The United Kingdom ranked next, with 16,915 tourists. Meanwhile, tourist arrivals in December have continued to surpass expectations, further strengthening confidence in the sector’s recovery.
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