Sri Lanka Tourism Statistics - How Many People Visit? (2023)

Page last updated: 22 August 2024

Sri Lanka, known for its stunning beaches, rich cultural heritage, and diverse wildlife, offers travellers a unique blend of natural beauty and historical places.

Overview

How many people visit Sri Lanka each year?

Over 1.49 million international tourists visited Sri Lanka in 2023.¹

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, and this trend continued to rise in 2023 with 1.49 million visitors. However, this was still 26% down compared to 2019.

How much do tourists spend in Sri Lanka every year?

International tourists spent over $2.07 billion during trips to Sri Lanka in 2023.²

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).

Which countries visit Sri Lanka the most?

The leading sources of foreign tourists to Sri Lanka in 2023 were India, closely followed by Russia, the UK, Germany, and China.

In 2023, India was the top source of international visitors to Sri Lanka, accounting for 302,844 visits and holding a 20% market share.

Russia also contributed significantly with 197,498 tourists.

The UK accounted for a 9% share with 130,088 million international visits.

Germany and China were also on the list with a 4.6% market share, accounting for 68,789 and 67,436 visits, respectively.

How many people visited Sri Lanka in 2023?

In 2023, Sri Lanka welcomed a total of 1.49 million international visitors. This represented a 69% decrease from the peak pre-pandemic year of 2019.

How much did people spend in Sri Lanka in 2023?

International tourism stood at $2.07 billion in 2023. The average tourist spend per capita was approximately $164.40 per day.

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.

Economic Impact – Sri Lanka Tourism Statistics

The tourism sector contributed a record $4 billion to Sri Lanka’s GDP in 2023, which accounted for 5.6% of the total economy.

A growth of 640,000 jobs in travel and tourism represented nearly 7.9% of jobs across the country.

Travel spending by tourists amounted to 2.07 billion in 2023.

In 2022, tourist spending amounted to $1.1 billion, 63.1% generated from domestic tourism and 36.9% from international tourism.

What are Sri Lanka’s peak tourist months?

December had the highest number of visitors (210,352) who travelled because of it being the holiday season.

In November, Sri Lanka welcomed 151,496 visitors. This was due to tourists travelling before the December holiday rush and various cultural and religious events.

July 2023 attracted 143,039 tourists, coinciding with summer holidays worldwide.

August welcomed 136,405 visitors, benefiting from the extended summer holiday period and the Esala Perahera festival in Kandy.

March had 125,495 tourists, driven by spring breaks in several countries, pleasant weather, and numerous local festivals.

What are the main reasons people visit Sri Lanka?

Visiting friends and relatives, business trips, leisure, and other personal reasons are the main reasons why international tourists visit Sri Lanka each year.

Leisure tourism, with 851,976 visits, is the leading reason, showcasing Sri Lanka’s appeal for its beaches, wildlife, cultural heritage, and natural beauty.

Visiting friends and relatives (VFR) accounts for 215,395 visits, indicating strong diaspora connections.

The MICE segment, comprising 81,796 visits, shows Sri Lanka’s growing reputation as a destination for corporate events and business gatherings.

Business visits (67,328 visits) reflect ongoing commercial engagements and professional activities within the country.

The ‘Others‘ category, with 270,808 visits, includes education, health tourism, and other personal reasons. This highlights Sri Lanka’s broad appeal beyond traditional tourism.

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.

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References

SLTDA: Sri Lanka Tourism Statistics ↩︎
UNWTO: Inbound Tourism Statistics of Sri Lanka ↩︎