May tourist arrivals top pre-COVID highs

The tourist arrivals to Sri Lanka in May 2025 climbed to 132,191, exceeding pre-pandemic levels and reinforcing momentum toward the country’s full-year tourism target of three million visitors and US $ 5 billion in revenue.

The latest data marks an 18.5 percent increase from May 2024’s 112,128 arrivals and marginally surpasses the 129,466 recorded in May 2018. 2018 is the sector’s best-performing year before the COVID-19 pandemic and other successive crises.

From January to May 2025, Sri Lanka welcomed 1,029,803 tourists. With average daily arrivals in May at 4,262 and weekly average at 33,047, the pace remains healthy despite May traditionally being a shoulder season.

India was the dominant source market in May, accounting for 47,001 visitors or 35.4 percent of total arrivals. The United Kingdom followed, with 9,221 arrivals (6.9 percent), while China ranked third, with 8,803 (6.6 percent). Other notable contributors included Bangladesh, Germany, Australia, France, the United States, Canada and the Russian Federation, highlighting broad-based geographic interest.

To meet the three million visitor goal, monthly arrivals must average approximately 281,000 for the remainder of the year.