“Sri Lanka is targeting three million tourists in 2025”, Minister Herath told Journalists in his newest statement on Tourism in Sri Lanka.
The 3 million target would be 46 percent increase from 2024. Sri Lanka saw its second best number of tourist arrivals in 2024 amid the sovereign defaulted nation’s economic recovery from an unprecedented economic crisis. Last year’s 2.05 million arrival is only second to the record 2.33 million visitors the island nation witnessed in 2018.
Sri Lanka missed the 2.3 million tourist arrival target last year due to a sudden hike in visa processing fee. Confusion on visa processing prevailed until President Anura Kumara Disanayake government abolished the system.
The country also missed the revenue target of around 5 million last year. Instead, it only saw $3.2 billion. Tourism at its peak in 2018 accounted for 5 percent of the total gross domestic production.
Sri Lanka tourism is a vibrant and diverse industry that showcases the island’s rich cultural heritage, stunning landscapes, and warm hospitality. Known as the “Pearl of the Indian Ocean,” Sri Lanka attracts visitors with its pristine beaches, lush tea plantations, ancient UNESCO World Heritage Sites, and diverse wildlife.
