Page last updated: 30 May 2025
Sri Lanka, known for its stunning beaches, rich cultural heritage, and diverse wildlife, offers travellers a unique blend of natural beauty and historical places.
How many people visit Sri Lanka each year?
Around 1.5 to 2.5 million international visitors travel to Sri Lanka annually. In 2024, Sri Lanka welcomed a total of 2.05 million representing a 37.6% increase over 2023 and exceeding pre-pandemic levels seen in 2019.1
- 2018 welcomed 2.52 million international visitors, and 2019 saw 2.03 million tourists.
- When the pandemic began in 2020, this number dropped by 73% to approximately 540,000 visitors.
- By 2021, Sri Lanka experienced a further 67% decline in international tourists (195,000).
- Inbound tourism recovered to approximately 759,000 visitors in 2022, rose to 1.49 million in 2023, and this trend continued with a further increase to 2.05 million visitors in 2024.
How many people visited Sri Lanka in 2025?
From January to April 2025, Sri Lanka recorded 896,884 visitors.
- The busiest months in early 2025 so far were January (252,761) and February (240,217), suggesting a continued upward trend in early-year travel.
Number of Tourists Visiting Sri Lanka in 2025
| Month | 2025 Visitation |
| January | 252,761 |
| February | 240,217 |
| March | 229,298 |
| April | 174,608 |
Note: This is just preliminary data from Sri Lanka Tourism and is subject to change for future updates.
How many people visited Sri Lanka in 2024?
- In 2024, Sri Lanka welcomed a total of 2.05 million international visitors. This represented an increase of approximately 1.0% compared to 2019 (2.03 million visitors), though it was an 18.7% decrease from the 2018 peak of 2.52 million visitors.
How much do tourists spend in Sri Lanka every year?
International tourists spent over $3.20 billion during trips to Sri Lanka in 2024.2
- Inbound tourist expenditure in Sri Lanka generated $4.66 billion in 2019.
- This number decreased to $1.08 billion in 2020 due to coronavirus travel restrictions and fewer international visitors. In 2021, this dropped again by 44% to $615 million.
- Sri Lanka recovered in international tourism revenue in 2022 with $1.36 billion.
- International tourism revenue continued to rise with $2.07 billion in 2023, but still 55% less than 2019 (pre-pandemic).
How much did people spend in Sri Lanka in 2024?
- International tourism revenue stood at $3.2 billion in 2024. This indicates a 20% increase from the previous year but was still approximately 43% below pre pandemic peak of 2018 totaling $5.61 billion.
How much does it cost to visit Sri Lanka?
- Tourists who visited Sri Lanka spent an average of $181.15 per day in 2024 while exploring the country’s attractions.
Which countries visit Sri Lanka the most?
In 2024, India remained the leading source of foreign tourists to Sri Lanka, contributing 416,974 visits, reaffirming its position with a dominant market share.
- Russia followed with 201,920 visitors, continuing to be a strong contributor to Sri Lanka’s inbound tourism.
- The United Kingdom ranked third, sending 178,339 visitors, reflecting consistent travel interest from Europe.
- Germany and China also featured prominently, with 136,084 and 131,681 visitors respectively.
Other notable source markets included:
- Australia: 89,573 visits
- France: 88,775 visits
- United States: 59,532 visits
- Netherlands: 50,116 visits
- Maldives: 47,222 visits
How long do visitors stay in Sri Lanka?
- On average, international tourists spent 8.4 nights exploring Sri Lanka’s popular cities and attractions in 2023.
- In 2020 and 2021, the average tourist stayed approximately 8.5 nights and 15.1 nights, respectively. However, by 2022, average stays decreased to 9.3 nights.
Sri Lanka Travel Resources
Economic Impact – Sri Lanka Tourism Statistics
- The tourism industry’s contribution to Sri Lanka’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) in 2024 was significant, reflecting its vital role in the nation’s economy.
- A growth of 640,000 jobs in travel and tourism in 2024, represented nearly 7.9% of jobs across the country .
- Travel spending by tourists amounted to $3.2 billion in 2024. The average daily expenditure per tourist in 2024 was USD 181.15, up from USD 164.4 in 2023.
What are Sri Lanka’s peak tourist months?
Sri Lanka’s peak tourist months typically align with global holiday periods and major local festivals, with December standing out as the top month for arrivals.
- December was the highest month for tourism in 2024, with 248,592 visitors, driven by the global holiday season and ideal tropical weather.
- February followed with 218,350 visitors, benefiting from post-winter escapes in Europe and Asia.
- January saw 208,253 arrivals, continuing the festive season momentum and attracting winter holidaymakers.
- March recorded 209,181 visitors, supported by spring breaks, good weather, and local festivals.
- July drew 187,810 tourists, coinciding with summer holidays in the Northern Hemisphere.
When is the best time to visit Sri Lanka?
April, October, and November are shoulder months with fewer tourists and moderate weather and can also be an excellent time to visit.
- South & West (Colombo, Galle, Kandy, Nuwara Eliya): Best visited from December to March (dry season).
- East Coast (Trincomalee, Arugam Bay, Batticaloa): Best visited from May to September (dry season).
What are the main reasons people visit Sri Lanka?
- Leisure tourism remains the dominant reason, with 650,765 visits recorded in 2024 for pleasure and vacation. This underscores Sri Lanka’s strong appeal for travelers seeking beaches, cultural heritage, wildlife experiences, and natural beauty.
- Visiting friends and relatives (VFR) accounted for 99,716 visits, reflecting the enduring ties of Sri Lanka’s diaspora and the role of familial connections in inbound travel.
- The MICE (Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, and Exhibitions) sector contributed 54,831 visits, highlighting Sri Lanka’s growing attractiveness as a destination for corporate events and professional gatherings.
- Business travel brought in 22,287 visitors, showing sustained interest in commercial and professional engagements within the country.
Which attractions are the most visited in Sri Lanka?
The following are some of the top Sri Lanka wildlife parks that captivated the most international visitors in 2023:
- Yala (466,437 visitors and RS 1.7 billion in income) is renowned for its diverse wildlife, including leopards, elephants, and birds, set amidst a varied terrain of forests, grasslands, and coastal lagoons.
- Horton Plains (245,706 visitors and earning RS 278 million) is famous for its scenic beauty, unique montane ecosystem, and attractions like World’s End and Baker’s Falls.
- Udawalawe (188,388 visitors and generating RS 739 million) is popular for its large population of elephants, offering excellent opportunities for wildlife sightings and safaris.
- Minneriya (62,064 visits and RS 167 million in income) is best known for its annual gathering of elephants during the “Gathering,” a spectacular wildlife event.
- Bundala (9,718 visitors generating RS 16 million) is celebrated for its significant birdlife, particularly migratory birds, and its coastal wetland habitats.
Asia Travel Statistics Resources
- China Statistics
- Dubai Statistics
- Hong Kong Statistics
- India Statistics
- Indonesia Statistics (incl. Bali)
- Israel Statistics
- Japan Statistics (incl. Hokkaido, Okinawa, Osaka, Tokyo)
- Malaysia Statistics
- Saudi Arabia Statistics
- Singapore Statistics
- South Korea Statistics
- Sri Lanka Statistics
- Thailand Statistics (incl. Bangkok)
- Turkey Statistics
