September 2025 arrivals to Sri Lanka is best ever for that month
In September 2025, Sri Lanka welcomed a total of 158,971 visitors to the country, eclipsing the previous record of 149,087 set in September 2018 - the benchmark year of 2018 by 30.2%.
A substantial portion of the total arrivals - 31.3% came from neighbouring country India with 49,697. This group played a crucial role in the overall numbers for the month of September, underscoring the importance of regional tourism in Sri Lanka’s recovery post-pandemic. The UK followed with 10,752 tourists (6.8%), whilst China slotted into 3rd place bringing in 10,527 (6.6%). Other significant sources of arrivals during the month came from Germany, Australia, France, Bangladesh Spain, the Netherlands and Japan, in that order.
The release of the September figures also provided an opportunity to reflect on the overall growth of the tourism sector in 2025. Looking back, the total number of tourists arriving in Sri Lanka this year ((Jan – September) has reached 1,725,494. This year-to-date (YTD), total figure is 16.2% more than that in 2024, for the same period.
YTD 2025 (Jan – Sept), India also maintained its dominant position with 375,292 arrivals. The United Kingdom and Russian Federation were the second and third largest primary source markets with 161,893 and 122,144 tourists, respectively.
Sri Lanka Tourism has now revised, the 2025 tourist arrival target to 2.6 million visitors - down from the original target of three million. However, the Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority (SLTDA) Chairman did not disclose on the status of the country’s tourism earnings forecast. The government originally set its sights on generating US $ 5 billion from the industry this year.
Sri Lanka has been ranked as the No. 1 travel destination for October 2025 by global travel guide Time Out. October is considered the perfect month to explore Sri Lanka, falling in the shoulder season when crowds are smaller, prices are lower, and the weather is favorable across much of the island.
The country has also been ranked in the 9th spot on the ‘top 10 destinations list to travel in 2025’ by BBC Travel’s inaugural guide. In consultation with its journalists and leading sustainable travel authorities such as the United Nations World Tourism Organisation, Sustainable Travel International and World Travel and Tourism Council.
Arkia Israel Airlines will commence scheduled operations from Tel Aviv to Colombo starting September 24th, according to Sri Lankan Ambassador to Israel. This flight primarily will be operated once a week.
Hospitality Sri Lanka
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