From honeymoons and weddings to cricket events and weekend breaks, Indian travellers are not just visiting Sri Lanka — they are reshaping its tourism future
Sri Lanka’s tourism recovery is increasingly powered by Indian travellers, who now play a central role in shaping the island’s visitor economy.
Tourism has been crucial to Sri Lanka’s rebound after the 2022 economic crisis. That year, arrivals fell to 719,978, generating $1.1 billion and accounting for 5.2 per cent of foreign exchange earnings. By 2025, arrivals had climbed to 2.3 million, with revenue rising to $3.2 billion.
The sector’s revival has strengthened foreign reserves, supported jobs and boosted industries from aviation to hospitality
India has emerged as Sri Lanka’s largest source market. Indian visitors made up 17 per cent of total arrivals in 2022. By 2025, their share had grown to 22.5 per cent. In comparison, the United Kingdom ranked second at 9.5 per cent with 224,643 arrivals. Indian visitor numbers are now more than double those of the next closest market.
Policy support has helped sustain this growth. In 2023, Sri Lanka introduced a 30-day free double-entry visa for several countries, including India, cutting both costs and paperwork. Regional developments also played a part. Diplomatic tensions between India and the Maldives in 2024 prompted many Indian travellers to consider alternative destinations, with Sri Lanka benefiting from the shift.
Air connectivity has been another key factor. Despite financial losses, SriLankan Airlines carries about 25 per cent of tourist arrivals, with India as its top market. Meanwhile, Indian low-cost carrier IndiGo has rapidly expanded routes, raising its share of inbound traffic to 12 per cent by 2025. Affordable, frequent flights from multiple Indian cities have made short breaks easier and cheaper.
Indian media coverage and travel platforms have also boosted Sri Lanka’s image as a romantic and budget-friendly getaway. In December 2025 alone, more than 56,000 Indian tourists visited despite cyclone disruptions, accounting for nearly 45 per cent of arrivals that month.
