Sri Lanka Tourist Arrivals Recover in May

The number of foreign tourist arrivals in Sri Lanka grew by 9.65% year-on-year to 145,745 in May 2026, after a 22.3% slump in the previous month. This marked the highest number of arrivals in three months, with India remaining the top source market, contributing 60,342 visitors and accounting for 42% of total arrivals, continuing its strong position as the leading inbound tourism driver for the island. This was followed by the UK (6%), China (6%), Germany (5%), and Australia (4%). Sri Lanka has set an ambitious target of 3 million arrivals for 2026, after missing the goal last year. Despite a decline of tourist arrivals in the prior months due to the Middle East war conflict, a recovery has been observed with a total of 134,530 tourists visiting the country in the first five months of the year, noting a resurgence in tourist arrivals.

The number of foreign tourist arrivals in Sri Lanka dropped by 22.3% year-on-year to 135,643 in April 2026, following a 19.7% fall in the previous month. This marked the lowest number of arrivals since May last year and the second consecutive yearly decline. Still, the country’s tourism sector showed signs of steady growth with the number foreign tourist arrivals reaching a total of 904,855 from January 1 through May 6. Among key source markets, India remained the top source market, contributing 42,645 visitors in April and accounting for 31% of total arrivals, continuing its strong position as the leading inbound tourism driver for the island. This was followed by China (8%), UK (8%), Australia (7%), and Russia (5%). On a monthly basis, foreign tourist arrivals fell by 26.3%.

The number of foreign tourist arrivals in Sri Lanka dropped by 19.7% year-on-year to 183,979 in March 2026, reversing a 16.2% increase in the previous month. This marked the lowest number of arrivals in five months and the first yearly decrease since November 2021. Still, the figures indicate sustained travel interest, with regional markets particularly India, playing a key role in supporting Sri Lanka’s tourism recovery. India remained the top source market, contributing 47,533 visitors during the month and accounting for 26% of total arrivals, continuing its strong position as the leading inbound tourism driver for the island. This was followed by the United Kingdom (18,092), Russia (15,685), China (14,064), Germany (13,429), and Australia (11,197). The total number of tourist arrivals recorded from January 1 to March 31, 2026, reached a cumulative figure of 740,634, 2.5% higher compared to the same period last year.