Kandy Perahera drives 17% surge in tourist arrivals

The Kandy Esala Perahera has sparked a tourism surge, with Lanka recording a 17.1% year-on-year rise in visitor arrivals during the first 13 days of August, compared to 2024.

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The iconic cultural festival has once again proven its pivotal role in attracting tourists and bolstering the nation’s economy, says a report published by the Travel and Tour World .

The report says: Sri Lanka’s tourism industry has seen record growth last year with over 1.5 million arrivals recorded around mid-August. With this strong surge, the island nation is now on track to meet its goal of three million visitors by year end. The influx is, in partl fuelled by cultural attractions such as the Kandy Esala Perahera, increased global exposure to Sri Lanka as a tourist destination and a comparative increase in arrivals from key source markets including India, the UK and Italy.

Excerpts of the report: :Sri Lanka’s tourism sector is witnessing a period of remarkable growth in 2025, with over 1.5 million visitors arriving by mid-August. This milestone, achieved two months earlier than in the previous year, highlights the country’s recovery and sustained appeal as a top travel destination. With more than 100,000 arrivals in the first half of August, the island’s tourism continues to thrive, reflecting strong momentum and a promising future.