Tourism starts November with 13% growth

Annual target under pressure 

• SL welcomes nearly 62,000 visitors in first 9 days of November 
• Industry is currently tracking slightly ahead of ‘Lower Scenario’ monthly target of 203,259
• Russia bounces back to second top source market
• On a cumulative basis, Sri Lanka has welcomed 1,952,577 tourists

By Nishel Fernando

Sri Lanka’s tourism industry has recorded a solid start to the winter season, welcoming 61,890 visitors during the first nine days of November 2025. 

This represents a 13.2 percent year-on-year growth compared to the approximately 54,686 tourists that arrived during the same period in 2024. 

With a daily average of 6,877 arrivals, the industry is currently tracking slightly ahead of the ‘Lower Scenario’ monthly target of 203,259.

However, the current arrival rate is insufficient to meet the more ambitious ‘Conservative Scenario’ target of 232,176 for November, which would require a substantial increase in daily inflows for the remainder of the month.

A key development in early November is the surge in Russian tourists, who have taken the second spot among the top source markets, as the winter season begins. 

The Russian Federation contributed 8,220 visitors in just nine days, accounting for 13.3 percent of total arrivals. India maintained its lead, with 15,541 tourists (25.1 percent share), while traditional high-performing markets like Germany (4,740 arrivals) and the United Kingdom (4,450 arrivals) were pushed to the third and fourth places, respectively.

On a cumulative basis, Sri Lanka has welcomed 1,952,577 tourists from January 1 to November 9, 2025. 

This marks a robust 16.5 percent growth compared to the same period last year.