Economy

Tourist arrivals top 156,000 in first 26 days of Novembe

Published

1 year ago

November 29, 2024

Sri Lanka’s tourist arrivals have shown strong growth, rising 18% year-on-year (YoY) in the first 26 days of November with 156,174 visitors registered.

This has also propelled the year-to-date (YTD) arrivals to surpass 1.77 million, marking a 41% YoY increase compared to the same period in 2023. Sri Lanka needs to woo another 223,111 tourists in the next month to reach its annual goal of two million arrivals.

The daily arrival average climbed to 6,007 — an 18% jump from 5,105 during the same period last year and significantly higher than October’s 4,384 average.

The industry analysts opined that if the current pace continues, Sri Lanka could see just over 180,000 arrivals in November though still missing the monthly target of 155,070 set by the Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority (SLTDA). The country requires nearly 10,473 daily arrivals to reach the monthly target.

October registered a 25% YoY increase to 135,907 arrivals, rebounding from September’s single-digit growth, the first slowdown for the year amid visa crisis and travel advisories.

India remained the leading source market in November, contributing 32,306 visitors, followed by Russia with 25,573 and Germany with 11,394. The UK which had ranked higher earlier in the year fell to fourth place with 10,268 arrivals, while Australia ranked fifth with 6,446 visitors. Other key markets included China, France, Poland, the US and the Netherlands.

India also leads the cumulative arrivals with 357,279 visitors, followed by Russia at 163,172 and the UK at 156,938.

Analysts predict tourist arrivals could exceed two million by year end, slightly below the original target of 2.3 million. “Despite this, consistent growth trajectory reflects strong recovery in the tourism sector, driven by robust demand from traditional and emerging markets.

Sri Lanka Tourism is also leveraging the country’s year-round appeal to attract a diverse mix of visitors with a new national branding campaign which is set to be launched in January 2025. Looking ahead, the sector’s focus will be on capitalising on its momentum by implementing targeted marketing campaigns and improving infrastructure to meet the growing demand.

Economy

Tourist arrivals pass 2.1m for the first time in 2025

Published

1 day ago

December 5, 2025

admin

A total of 212,906 tourists have arrived in the country in the month of November, data from the Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority (SLTDA) shows.

According to data released by the SLTDA, a total of 51,391 tourists have arrived from India which accounts to 24.1%. Furthermore, 24,953 persons from Russia, 16,915 from the United Kingdom, 14,518 from Germany and 9,384 Australian nationals have also visited Sri Lanka in the month of November.

Meanwhile, the number of tourists arrived in Sri Lanka in 2025 has increased to 2,103,593 with the release of the latest figures for November.

Among them, 474,796 individuals are from India, 191,742 from the UK, 158,593 from Russia, 131,259 from Germany, 121,671 from China and 101,771 are from France, the SLTDA noted.

Economy

Apple to support relief efforts in flood-hit Sri Lanka

Published

3 days ago

December 3, 2025

admin

Apple CEO Tim Cook has announced that the company will contribute to relief and rebuilding efforts across several Asian countries—including Sri Lanka—following days of severe flooding, landslides, and powerful winds.

Cook said that recent storms across Thailand, Indonesia, Malaysia, and Sri Lanka have devastated communities, extending the company’s condolences to all those affected.

Economy

Management Committee appointed for ‘Rebuilding Sri Lanka’ Fund

Published

5 days ago

December 1, 2025

admin

The Cabinet of Ministers has approved the establishment of the ‘Rebuilding Sri Lanka’ Fund, which aims to rebuild the country after the immense damage caused by Cyclone ‘Ditwa’, one of the worst natural disasters in Sri Lanka’s recent history.

The fund is to be established as a statutory fund under the Presidential Secretariat, and its Management Committee will comprise representatives from the government and private sectors.

Minister of Labour and Deputy Minister of Finance and Planning, Dr. Anil Jayantha Fernando, will serve as its Chairman, while Senior Additional Secretary to the President, G.M.R.D. Aponso will serve as the Convener of the Committee.

Other committee members include:

• President’s Special Envoy for Foreign Investment, Western Province Governor Hanif Yusoof
• Secretary to the Ministry of Finance, Dr. Harshana Suriyapperuma
• Senior Economic Advisor to the President, Duminda Hulangamuwa
• Director General of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Sugeeshwara Gunawardena
• Chairman of the Hayles Group, Mohan Pandithage
• Chairman of John Keells Holdings (JKH), Krishan Balendra
• Deputy Chairman and Managing Director of Aitken Spence PLC, Dr. Parakrama Dissanayake
• Brandix Group CEO Ashroff Omar
• LOLC Executive Chairman Ishara Nanayakkara