Sri Lanka hits record October tourist arrivals with Indian market leading surge

SRI Lanka recorded its highest-ever tourist arrivals for the month of October this year, welcoming 165,193 visitors, a 22% year-on-year (YoY) increase, largely fuelled by strong inflows from India, signalling robust momentum for the winter season and renewed hopes of closing 2025 with record-breaking numbers.

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According to the latest data from the Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority (SLTDA), October’s arrivals surpassed the previous record of 153,123 in 2018. On average, the country attracted 5,329 tourists daily during the month, reflecting a 0.5% month-on-month increase.

India continued to dominate as the top source market, contributing 48,113 visitors or 29.1% of the total.

The United Kingdom followed with 12,934 arrivals (7.8%), Russia with 11,496 (7%), China with 10,864 (6.6%) and Germany with 9,753 (5.9%). Tourists also arrived from Australia, Bangladesh, France, the United States, and Spain.