SL revises 2025 tourist arrival target to a minimum of 2.6mn

EYES REGIONAL COLLABORATION DESPITE CHANGE IN ARRIVALS TARGET, NO UPDATE AS YET ON STATUS OF TOURISM EARNINGS FORECAST SLTDA SAYS IT SEES A FUTURE BUILT ON PARTNERSHIP, NOT JUST COMPETITION ASSERTS SRI LANKA AND MALDIVES COULD COMPLEMENT EACH OTHER “WONDERFULLY”

- By NISHEL FERNANDO

Sri Lanka yesterday announced the revision of its ambitious tourist arrival forecast for 2025.

It is now aiming for a minimum of 2.6 million visitors, down from the original target of three million.

The announcement came from Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority (SLTDA) Chairman Buddhika Hewawasam.

Speaking at the Connect and Conversations forum, a key component of South Asian Travel Awards 2025, held in Colombo yesterday, Hewawasam expressed confidence despite the adjustment.

He noted that achieving 2.6 million arrivals would “still be a historical high” for the nation, signalling a robust recovery and growth in the tourism sector.

However, Hewawasam did not comment on the status of the country’s tourism earnings forecast. The government originally set its sights on generating US $ 5 billion from the industry this year.