Sri Lanka achieved a significant milestone in the tourism sector welcoming the two millionth tourist for the year who arrived at the Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA) on flight UL 403 from Bangkok on Thursday (December 26) at 10.49 am.
Deputy Minister of Tourism Prof. Ruwan Ranasinghe along with the Chairman of the Sri Lanka Tourism Promotion Bureau (SLTPB) Buddhika Hewawasam were at the airport to welcome the two millionth tourist, Thai national Prasan Ingkanut who arrived with his wife and sister. A ceremony was organised by the SLTPB and Airport Aviation Services Limited at the Silk Route Lounge of the airport to receive the two-millionth tourist. The event also featured traditional dance performances and the presentation of special mementos.
This was the fourth instance of annual tourist arrivals exceeding the two million mark, with previous years being 2016, 2017 and 2018. Following the record set in 2018, this year recorded the highest number of tourist arrivals of 2.3 million within a single year. The achievement reflects the resilience of the tourism industry despite the challenges of the past five years.
Rapid recovery
The two-millionth tourist Prasan Ingkanut cuts the cake to mark the occasion in the presence of Deputy Minister of Tourism Prof. Ruwan Ranasinghe and the Chairman of the Sri Lanka Tourism Promotion Bureau Buddhika Hewawasam.
As of December 26 this year, 195,127 tourists had arrived in December alone, and it is expected that this will exceed 250,000 by midnight on December 31 (with a projected figure of 256,389). The last time over 250,000 tourists arrived in a single month was in February 2019, with 252,033 arrivals.
The tourism industry, which had been severely affected by the Easter Sunday attacks, Covid-19 pandemic and the economic crisis has shown rapid recovery under the new NPP Government. The milestone underscores the success of combined efforts by the private sector stakeholders and Sri Lanka Tourism in ensuring a robust holiday season. Promotional campaigns and collaborative strategies have helped pave the way for this achievement, signalling a positive outlook for the future of the industry.
Travel destination
Strategic Government intervention played a key role in this progress, with the initial step taken by the newly elected Government resolving the online visa issues in September 2024 ensuring smooth travel for international visitors. As a result, 515, 192 tourists had arrived in the country in the past three months alone. The Government’s recognition of tourism as a priority industry underlines its commitment to fostering an inclusive economy, with ambitious targets of three million arrivals and USD 5 billion in revenue by 2025.
Sri Lanka’s rich diversity continues to captivate travellers worldwide, offering everything from the sun-kissed beaches to lush mountains and exotic wildlife. The country’s efforts have been recognised globally, with 21 international tourism accolades in 2024 alone. These include Forbes Magazine naming Sri Lanka as the fourth most popular solo travel destination, National Geographic highlighting the Pekoe Trail as one of the world’s best hiking experiences, and the Wanderlust Gold Award for Most Desirable Island.
Looking ahead, the Government’s strategic direction focuses on creating a sustainable and inclusive tourism economy. Plans to extend free visas to travellers from 39 countries next year aim to further incentivise travel to Sri Lanka. Combined with robust PR and digital campaigns targeting key source markets, the industry is well-positioned to achieve its ambitious goals for 2025 and beyond.
Sri Lanka’s two millionth tourist arrival is more than just a milestone—it is a testament to the enduring appeal of this island paradise and the collective efforts of its people and institutions. With continued focus and innovation, Sri Lanka is poised to build on this success and solidify its place as a premier global travel destination.
