Key Market Indicators
Sri Lankan Tourist Arrivals are projected to decline significantly over the next five years. By 2028, the number of arrivals is expected to drop to approximately 530,000, a steep fall from the 1.54 million arrivals recorded in 2023. This represents an average annual decrease of 16.8%. This downward trend is not new for Sri Lanka. Since the year 2000, the country has experienced an average annual decline of 9.4% in tourist arrivals. In contrast, Sri Lanka’s Tourism Receipts are set for a modest increase. By 2028, tourism revenue is expected to rise to roughly $2.64 billion, up from $2.51 billion in 2023. This growth translates to an average annual rate of 0.8%. Since 2000, the Sri Lankan tourism market has seen a marginal year-on-year increase of 0.2% in receipts, indicating a slow but steady upward trajectory in earnings despite fluctuating tourist numbers.
