NewKerala.com

India Tops Sri Lanka Tourism, Doubling Visitor Numbers of Next Closest Nation

India has solidified its position as the largest source of tourists for Sri Lanka, with its share of arrivals rising to 22.5% in 2025, more than double the visitors from the second-ranked United Kingdom. This influx has been vital for Sri Lanka's economic recovery from its 2022 crisis, helping tourism revenue climb to $3.2 billion. The growth is driven by Indian travelers who provide volume and stability for airlines, notably propelling Sri Lankan Airlines and low-cost carrier IndiGo to significant market shares. Indian tourists are also reshaping the sector, turning Sri Lanka into a top honeymoon destination and broadening access through affordable, high-frequency flights.

Key Points: India Becomes Sri Lanka's Top Tourist Source, Driving Recovery

  • India's share of tourists rose to 22.5% in 2025
  • UK ranked second at 9.5% of arrivals
  • Tourism revenue rebounded to $3.2 billion in 2025
  • IndiGo captured 12% of inbound air traffic by 2025
3 min read

India emerges as Sri Lanka's top source of tourists, surpassing other nations: Report

Indian tourists now make up 22.5% of Sri Lanka's arrivals, more than double the next country, fueling the island's post-crisis economic revival.

"Indian tourists are a key component of this growth, and they are quietly reshaping Sri Lanka's tourism landscape. - The Diplomat report"

Colombo, Feb 23

Indian tourists visiting Sri Lanka have steadily increased over the past three years, reinforcing India's position as the largest source of foreign visitors.

While Indian tourists accounted for 17 per cent of total arrivals in 2022, their share rose to 22.5 per cent in 2025, underscoring India's clear dominance compared to other nations, a report said on Monday.

According to a report in the leading international news magazine 'The Diplomat', the United Kingdom ranked as Sri Lanka's second-largest source market at 9.5 per cent in 2025, with 224,643 arrivals, while Indian arrivals now exceed those from the next closest country by more than double.

"Tourism has been vital in Sri Lanka's economic recovery after the 2022 economic crisis. It is now one of the fastest-reviving sources of foreign income. In 2022, arrivals dropped to 719,978. This generated $1.1 billion, or 5.2 per cent of foreign exchange earnings. By 2025, arrivals climbed to 2.3 million as travel confidence gradually returned, and tourism revenue rose to $3.2 billion. This rebound has stabilised foreign reserves, supported jobs, and revived related sectors from aviation to hospitality," the report detailed.

"Indian tourists are a key component of this growth, and they are quietly reshaping Sri Lanka's tourism landscape. From propping up the national airline to redefining air connectivity, this market is driving the island's economic recovery. They have also turned the country into a top honeymoon hotspot and are setting new trends for the sector," it added.

The report highlighted that India emerged as the leading source market for Sri Lankan Airlines in 2025, with 200,141 passengers, representing roughly 37.6 per cent of tourist arrivals, highlighting a clear trend. Although long-haul destinations remain significant, it said, Indian travellers provide "volume, frequency, and relative stability" for the national carrier.

"Sri Lanka's air connectivity has also evolved through the rapid expansion of Indian low-cost carriers, most notably IndiGo. In 2022, the Indian low-cost carrier accounted for only 4.9 per cent of inbound traffic to Sri Lanka. As demand from Indian travellers increased, IndiGo expanded routes and flight frequencies, raising its market share to 6.6 per cent in 2023 and 8.5 per cent in 2024," the report mentioned.

"By 2025, IndiGo captured 12 per cent of total inbound tourist air traffic and is now one of the fastest-growing carriers serving the island. Its low-cost model and direct connectivity from multiple Indian cities have lowered travel costs to Sri Lanka. High-frequency short-haul services have also broadened access, particularly for first-time and price-sensitive tourists," it further noted.

Despite Sri Lanka being hit by Cyclone Ditwah in November 2025, the report said that "more than 56,000 Indian tourists visited the country," accounting for nearly 45 per cent of all arrivals in December last year.

- IANS

Share this article:

Reader Comments

A
Arjun K
IndiGo and other LCCs deserve a lot of credit here. They made travel to Colombo and beyond so much more accessible from tier-2 cities. The convenience and price point are unbeatable for a quick international getaway.
R
Rohit P
While it's positive for Sri Lanka, I hope our own tourism ministry is taking notes. We have incredible destinations that need similar promotion and connectivity boosts. The success story next door should inspire us to improve our own infrastructure and marketing.
S
Sarah B
As someone who visited last year, the hospitality was heartwarming. Locals were genuinely grateful for tourists returning. It's a win-win - we get a fantastic holiday, and they get vital economic support. The beaches are pristine!
V
Vikram M
The numbers are impressive, but we must be mindful travelers. It's important to respect local customs and environment. Mass tourism can sometimes have downsides. Let's ensure our visits are sustainable and beneficial in the long run.
K
Karthik V
This is soft power in action. Building strong people-to-people ties through tourism strengthens the entire region's stability and prosperity. Hope to see more reciprocal travel from Sri Lanka to India as well.

We welcome thoughtful discussions from our readers. Please keep comments respectful and on-topic.

Leave a Comment

Minimum 50 characters 0/50