Even as Sri Lanka grapples with disaster recovery, global travellers continue to arrive in large numbers, signalling confidence in the island’s resilience and tourism appeal.
Sri Lanka continues to attract international visitors despite recent natural disasters, with more than 93,000 tourists arriving in the country within the first two weeks of December 2025, according to official figures.
The Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority said that a total of 93,031 tourists entered the island between December 1 and December 14, 2025, underscoring the sector’s ability to remain active even amid challenging conditions.
India emerged as the single largest source market during this period, contributing 21,156 arrivals. Tourism officials noted that short-haul travel, strong regional connectivity, and ongoing interest in Sri Lanka’s beaches, culture, and hospitality offerings helped sustain arrivals from the Indian market.
Significant numbers of visitors were also recorded from long-haul and traditional markets including Russia, the United Kingdom, Germany, and China. These arrivals indicate that confidence in Sri Lanka as a travel destination remains intact, even as parts of the country focus on post-disaster recovery and rebuilding efforts.
According to cumulative data released by the authority, total tourist arrivals from January 1 to December 14, 2025, have now reached 2,196,624. This figure reflects steady year-long performance and reinforces tourism’s role as a key pillar of Sri Lanka’s economic recovery.
Industry stakeholders say continued arrivals during a difficult period demonstrate the sector’s resilience, the effectiveness of destination promotion, and the importance of maintaining essential services for visitors. They also stress that tourism revenue plays a critical role in supporting livelihoods, foreign exchange earnings, and local communities affected by recent events.
As Sri Lanka moves forward with recovery efforts, tourism authorities remain focused on sustaining visitor confidence, ensuring safety, and strengthening the country’s position as a preferred destination in the region.
