Data & statistics
Sri Lanka Tourism Statistics 2026
International tourist arrivals to Sri Lanka in 2026: totals to date, record months and top source markets, with sources. Updated monthly.
By the Paradise Travels teamPublished 5 October 2026Last checked: 5 October 2026
Figures from SLTDA data as reported in the news sources below. Re-checked monthly.
Arrivals in 2026
| Period | International arrivals |
|---|---|
| 1 January – 27 September 2026 | 1,678,745 |
| 1–27 September 2026 | 143,623 |
| January–August 2026 | 1,535,122 (about 2% lower than January–August 2025) |
Record months
- January 2026: 277,327 arrivals
- February 2026: 279,328 arrivals — the highest monthly figure on record
Top source markets (January–September 2026, approximate)
| Market | Arrivals | Note |
|---|---|---|
| India | ~431,000 (to 27 Sep) | About 30% of September arrivals |
| United Kingdom | ~158,000 (to ~21 Sep) | |
| China | ~111,000 | Growing ~10.7% |
| Germany | ~97,000 | |
| Australia | ~86,000 | Growing ~11.4% |
Russia was also a major market early in the year.
Sources
Last checked 5 October 2026. Rules change — always confirm with the official source.
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