Tourism industry has crossed the one million tourist arrival mark before the end of May for the second consecutive year, signaling continued resilience in one of the country’s most important foreign exchange earning sectors.
Foreign Affairs, Tourism and Foreign Employment Minister Vijitha Herath said the latest milestone follows the record-breaking performance achieved in 2025 and reflects the sector’s ability to maintain momentum despite recent global uncertainties affecting international travel.
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For hotels, restaurants, transport operators, tour providers and thousands of small businesses connected to the tourism supply chain, the one million mark represents more than a symbolic achievement. It indicates that visitor demand has remained relatively stable at a time when several global tourism markets continue facing economic and geopolitical pressures.
Although tourist arrivals recorded a year-on-year slowdown during March and April, industry observers largely linked the decline to the impact of tensions in the Middle East and related disruptions affecting travel confidence and international tourism flows.
“Keeping the record-breaking success of last year, 2025, the number of foreign tourists arriving in the country has crossed the million mark before the end of May for the second consecutive year,” Herath said.
India continued to remain the country’s largest tourist source market in 2026, contributing more than 200,000 visitors so far this year. The United Kingdom, Russia, China and Germany were among the other leading markets supporting arrival growth.
The Minister also thanked tourism sector stakeholders and foreign travellers for contributing to the industry’s continued recovery and expansion.
“Our sincere thanks to all the industry members who are committed to making Sri Lanka a leading tourist destination in the world and to all the foreign tourists who have chosen our country,” he added.
Tourism remains a critical source of foreign exchange earnings and employment, with the sector closely watched as an indicator of broader economic activity and international confidence. Industry expectations now turn towards whether current arrival trends can be sustained through the traditionally stronger second half of the year.
Last modified: May 28, 2026
