Sri Lanka Welcomes Over One Million Tourists im May 2025

Sri Lanka has welcomed over one million international tourists within the first five months of 2025, marking the fastest the island nation has ever reached this milestone in any given year. According to official figures released by the Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority (SLTDA), a total of 1,006,097 visitors arrived between January 1 and May 25, underscoring a strong and steady revival of the country’s tourism sector.

In a recent statement, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism Vijitha Herath hailed the achievement as a major step forward in the country’s post-pandemic recovery. “This is the fastest Sri Lanka has hit the one-million mark,” Herath noted in a social media update, highlighting the government’s broader goal of attracting three million visitors by the end of the year.

The last time Sri Lanka crossed the one-million threshold by May was in 2018, with a similar milestone achieved only by June in 2024. The 2025 performance not only beats these records but also sends a clear signal of renewed global interest in Sri Lanka as a top travel destination.

As of late May, Sri Lanka has already achieved 33.5% of its annual tourism target, with May alone bringing in 109,213 visitors, averaging over 4,300 arrivals per day. While a seasonal dip is typical during April to June due to off-peak travel patterns, arrivals are expected to gain momentum from July onwards, coinciding with the European summer holidays.

India continues to dominate as Sri Lanka’s largest source market, accounting for 35.8% of all arrivals in May. The United Kingdom (7%) and China (6.5%) followed, with notable contributions also coming from Germany, Bangladesh, Australia, France, the United States, Russia, and Canada.

Minister Herath reaffirmed the government’s focus on 2025 as the “Year of Tourism Revival,” with plans underway to enhance infrastructure, upgrade service standards, and strengthen skills across the sector. These efforts are part of a comprehensive national strategy to re-establish tourism as one of Sri Lanka’s leading foreign exchange earners.
With steady growth, strategic reforms, and a renewed global spotlight, Sri Lanka is poised to make 2025 a landmark year in its tourism journey.