Indian Tourists Lead in Arrivals to Sri Lanka Through June 2025

Indian tourists have outpaced others as the largest group in Sri Lanka for the first half of 2025, with a total increase in arrivals leading to a recovery in the tourism sector.

Indian tourists have emerged as the largest group visiting Sri Lanka in the first half of this year, according to recent numbers released by the Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority (SLTDA). As of June 11, 2025, the overall tourist count in Sri Lanka has surged to 1,051,096, with India contributing a significant 210,074 visitors. Following India, Russia and the UK were next, with 110,818 and 98,158 visitors respectively.

In May alone, the country welcomed 132,919 foreign nationals, marking an impressive 18.5 percent increase compared to May 2024, as reported by news outlet Adaderana. This positive trend in tourism is encouraging for the Sri Lankan economy, which has shown signs of recovery after recent adversities.

The SLTDA figures reveal that during the first five days of June 2025, a total of 21,293 tourists arrived. Again, Indian nationals led with 6,014, making up 28.2 percent of the total. Other notable arrivals during this period included 1,884 visitors from the UK, 1,277 from China, and 1,173 Bangladeshis. The growth in numbers, particularly from India, signifies a strengthening relationship between the two nations in the tourism sector.

In summary, Indian tourists are leading Sri Lanka’s tourism statistics in 2025, with a substantial increase in visitor numbers through May and early June. This uptick suggests a positive outlook for the tourism industry in the country, particularly from India, which remains the largest contributor to Sri Lanka’s tourist inflow. Overall, this trend reflects the ongoing recovery and appeal of Sri Lanka as a travel destination.

Original Source: www.dailyexcelsior.com