Sri Lanka Tourism reports a strong surge in international visitor arrivals throughout the first nine months of 2025.
Based on current figures, the United Kingdom is emerging as one of the country’s fastest-growing, most valuable tourism markets, and number one long-haul market.
According to the figures from September 2025, the country’s tourism sector has seen robust gains in international arrivals, with the United Kingdom cementing its role as a vital source market, second only to India.
This growth has been primarily driven by renewed traveller confidence, strategic visa reforms, and dynamic destination marketing.
Other contributory factors include enhanced accessibility, policy reforms, and strategic promotions.
Post-pandemic recovery is going well
The country’s tourism industry continues its impressive post-pandemic recovery, welcoming over 684,000 visitors by March 2025, marking a 17.6 percent year-on-year increase.
Total international arrivals for 2024 reached approximately 2.05 million, up 38 percent from 2023.
Likewise, tourism earnings are up by 53 percent from last year, as the sector generated over US$3.17 billion in tourism earnings as of press time.
Sri Lanka’s target for 2025 is to attract three million visitors and generate US$5 billion in tourism revenue, reaffirming tourism’s vital role in the national economy and as a key foreign exchange earner.
Sri Lankan tourism in the numbers as of September 2025
- In September 2025, the country recorded 126,379 arrivals, bringing the cumulative total to 1,692,902 for the year thus far;
- Within that September figure, 8,937 UK nationals arrived, making the UK the second-largest source market for that month;
- Across 2025 to date, cumulative UK arrivals reached 160,078, placing the UK firmly in the second position behind India; and
- By the first week of October the total arrivals from the UK stood at 164,000 recording a further 11.6 percent overall growth year on year.
These figures underscore a steady rebound in demand, with growth not only returning but accelerating.
A significant source market
The UK has shown exceptional growth, now ranking as Sri Lanka’s second-largest source market after India and first long-haul market.
Its share of arrivals indicates that UK travellers are increasingly choosing Sri Lanka as a destination not just for beach or sun holidays, but for cultural, nature, and experiential travel.
The UK’s performance in September, numbering around 8,937 arrivals, is a strong showing considering seasonal variation and extension.
The cumulative number of 160,078 as of the end of Q3-2025 underscores that the UK is a core pillar in Sri Lanka’s inbound strategy and highlights the enduring appeal of Sri Lanka among British travellers, known for their preference for cultural immersion, nature, and experiential holidays.
