Sri Lanka today welcomes 1 m tourists for 2024

• Milestone achievement considered positive indicator of recovery, growth in industry
• Analysts suggests June arrivals forecast of 148,695 unlikely given daily average and current trend 
• Sri Lanka consistently missed its tourist arrival targets in first five months

Sri Lanka is poised to welcome its one millionth tourist today (29), a milestone signalling a significant recovery for the tourism sector after facing multiple challenges in the past four years. 

As reported extensively by the Daily FT, Sri Lanka Tourism was on track to surpass one million visitor arrivals by the end of June and reaching the milestone is a positive indicator of recovery and growth in the industry.

To mark this significant occasion, Sri Lanka Tourism has organised a special welcoming ceremony at the Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA), featuring true Sri Lankan hospitality and cultural performance. 

The latest data released by the Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority (SLTDA), the country has received 91,666 tourists during the first 25 days, bringing the year-to-date (YTD) total to 988,445, with an average of 3,667 daily arrivals.

Comparing the first five months of 2023 figures to benchmark year 2018, Sri Lanka saw a declining pattern continue through the months. For instance, in January 2024, Sri Lanka welcomed 208,253 tourists, 30,671 lower than January 2018 and 33,709 below the 2024 forecast. February 2024 saw 218,350 visitors, 17,268 fewer than in February 2018 and 20,264 below forecast. March 2024 had 209,181 arrivals, 24,201 lower than March 2018 and 27,169 below forecast. April 2024 recorded 148,867 tourists, 31,562 fewer than April 2018 and 33,857 below forecast. In May 2024, there were 112,128 visitors, 17,338 lower than May 2018, and 18,984 below forecast.

SLTDA’s forecast for off-season June is 148,695 tourists. However, analysts suggest this target is difficult to achieve based on current trends. They pointed out that from January to May, Sri Lanka has consistently missed its tourist arrival targets by 13.9%, 8.4%, 11.4%, 18.5% and 14.4% respectively.

They said the maximum is just over 110,000 arrivals for June, pushing YTD to over 1,006,000 at the end of 2024.