Sri Lanka’s Tourism Sector Off To a Bright Start in 2025 – January Arrivals Figure Soars

Continuing its remarkable resurgence, the tourism sector in Sri Lanka has gotten off to a promising start this year. According to data from the Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority, the island welcomed 252,761 tourists in January 2025; this was a 21% rise when compared to January last year and more significantly, a 5.8% increase from January 2018, which is regarded as the nation’s best year for tourism. For the first month of 2025, the leading tourism source market was India, followed by Russia and the UK respectively.

These travellers are flocking to Sri Lanka not only drawn to its sun-kissed shorelines but also rich history and culture which can be experienced during a stay at a Sigiriya hotel. Such properties in the Cultural Triangle like Sigiriya Jungles remain a popular choice to visit the iconic Sigiriya Rock Fortress, explore historic Anuradhapura and Polonnaruwa and go on elephant safaris at Minneriya National Park. With so much on offer, the signs are indeed positive that the country can reach its record-breaking target of three million foreign arrivals in 2025.