Tourism industry records best-ever January arrivals
Source : FT
- Welcomes 252,761 visitors, surpassing previous high of 238,924 tourists in 2018
- Records 21.4% YoY increase compared to 2024, 6% compared to January 2018
- Daily average arrivals pick up to 8,154 from 6,718 in January 2024
- Misses ambitious 305,687 monthly target by 52,926 visitors
- India, Russia and UK emerge as top source markets
Sri Lanka’s tourism industry has achieved a record-breaking start to 2025, welcoming 252,761 visitors in January, surpassing the previous high of 238,924 registered in 2018.
This surge in arrivals reflects a strong recovery for the sector, with expectations rising for continued momentum throughout the year.
Last week, the Daily FT exclusively reported that the month would end with the highest January arrivals (https://www.ft.lk/front-page/Tourism-surge-poised-to-hit-highest-with-January-arrivals/44-772488).
The latest figures mark a 21.4% year-on-year (YoY) increase compared to the same period last year and a 6% improvement over the 2018 benchmark year.
The latest data showed that the average arrivals also climbed to 8,154, up from 6,718 last year, and higher than the 7,707 registered in January 2018.
On a weekly basis, the month saw a steady influx in visitor numbers, with the first week registering 54,851 tourists, 57,560 in the second week, 57,473 in the third week, and the final week recording a notable 82,877 travellers.
Despite the strong performance, January’s total arrivals fell short of Sri Lanka Tourism’s ambitious 305,687 monthly target by 52,926 visitors.
India emerged as the single biggest source market, contributing 43,375 tourists, followed by Russia with 34,096 travellers, the UK with 21,739 visitors, China with 16,709 tourists, and Germany with 15,050 visitors. In addition, travellers from France, Australia, Poland, the US, and Netherlands were also welcomed during the month.
Industry suggests improved air connectivity, global accolades, and renewed confidence in the country’s stability aided the boost in the destination’s appeal.
The extension of tax concessions for airlines operating into the country’s three key airports – the Jaffna International Airport, Colombo International Airport (Ratmalana), and Mattala Rajapaksa International Airport – were seen as assisting the steady increase of international tourist footfall during January.
On 6 January, the Cabinet of Ministers extended a 50% waiver on deviation tax for airlines operating scheduled flights to Jaffna International Airport till 30 January 2026, airlines servicing Colombo International Airport (Ratmalana) got a 50% waiver for one year starting 27 March 2025, and expanded full deviation tax concession to the Mattala Rajapaksa International Airport for another year from 29 December 2024.
For 2025, Sri Lanka Tourism is expecting to draw 3 million tourists and generate $ 5 billion in revenue. In 2024, the country welcomed 2.05 million visitors, generating over $ 3.2 billion in revenue, registering a substantial 52.38% YoY increase.
Last week, Tourism Deputy Minister Prof. Ruwan Ranasinghe said the Government is set for a major shake-up in its tourism industry with the establishment of a National Tourism Commission, a move aimed at streamlining decision-making and boosting efficiency – which is part of broader reforms including a newly approved Tourism Act – to modernise regulations and enhance governance in the industry. (CdeS).