Tourist arrivals gain pace in June, but annual target still elusive

Sri Lanka welcomes 138,241 tourists in June up 22% YoY driven by Dawoodi Bohra convention boost Misses monthly target for sixth consecutive month, as June falls short by 39,016 visitors YTD arrivals reach just under 1.17 m, up 15.6% YoY India remains top market in June trailed by UK and China SL must attract over 1.83 m tourists in 2H to meet 3 m target Analysts warn current momentum is insufficient without urgent marketing and project implementations

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JUNE demonstrated Sri Lanka's continuing appeal even in the face of geographical headwinds, attracting 138,241 visitors with a 22% year-on-year (YoY) increase, whilst the Dawoodi Bohra convention served as a timely one-off boost in arrivals.

Hosting the Dawoodi Bohra International Convention in Colombo from 27 June to 5 July provided a crucial shot in the arm for the sector, which has seen struggling against a backdrop of geopolitical tensions in the Middle East that disrupted air traffic on key Europe-bound routes via Doha, Dubai and Abu Dhabi.

Weekly arrivals in June reflected this shift with the first week drawing 31,547 visitors, the second week 28,240, the third week 28,622 and the final week a notable spike to 49,831 as Bohra convention participants flooded in.