Tourist arrivals top 2.1 m mark with November boost

Sri Lanka’s tourism surpassed 2.1 million arrivals in the first 11 months, whilst November recorded the highest number of visitors since March 2025.

The country welcomed 212,906 tourists in November, marking a 16% year-on-year (YoY) growth. It also recorded the highest November arrivals in five years. 

The monthly tally in November represents a 29% increase from October’s 165,193 arrivals. The 252,761 tourists recorded in January remains as the highest monthly arrivals registered in 2025 thus far.

Although the November numbers signal continued recovery, it fell short by 47,323 visitors from the projected target of 260,229 for the month set by the Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority (SLTDA) — extending a trend observed throughout 2025, where monthly targets were consistently missed. 

However, it reflected an increase of 17,324 arrivals from the 195,582 registered in November 2018.

As November propelled it to cross 2.1 million year-to-date (YTD) arrivals, edging closer to the revised 2025 target of 2.4 million visitors, the industry requires another 296,407 visitors within December. However, the YTD performance so far is still down by 11% when compared to the same period in the benchmark year of 2018.

The daily tourist arrivals averaged 7,093 – up from 6,139 during the same period a year ago and significantly higher than October’s 5,329 average.

India remained Sri Lanka’s largest source market in November, contributing 51,391 visitors or 24.1% of total arrivals. Russia followed with 24,953, while the UK ranked third with 16,915 visitors. Germany and Australia rounded out the top five with 14,518 and 9,384 arrivals, respectively. Other key contributors included China, France, Poland, the US, and Spain.

India’s dominance in YTD figures was also clear, accounting for 474,796 visitors (23%), followed by the UK with 191,742 (9%) and Russia with 158,593 (8%).

Industry analysts opined achieving the revised annual target will require strong performance in December, typically boosted by high winter season demand.

Source: adaderana