Content Writer: Janice Chew • Tuesday, 25/09/2025 - 22:32:11 - PM
Sri Lanka has set an ambitious target of welcoming 500,000 visitors from India in 2025, positioning Indian tourists as a cornerstone of its tourism recovery initiatives. With demand for short-haul travel rising and India currently leading as Sri Lanka’s top source market, the goal reflects both geographic convenience and strategic focus on high-growth potential segments like weddings and MICE (meetings, incentives, conferences, and exhibitions) tourism.
The push to reach this target comes as Sri Lanka's tourism sector continues to rebound strongly. As of early September, cumulative foreign arrivals have surpassed 1.6 million, with Indian visitors accounting for over 335,000 year-to-date, or roughly 27% of total arrivals. Also, in August, City of Dreams Sri Lanka fully opened, with the property expected to attract affluent Indian tourists. The Sri Lankan government is betting on casinos and enhanced tourism infrastructure to achieve its goal of raising tourist arrivals by 50 percent, potentially lifting industry revenues to US $5 billion from US $3.7 billion in the previous year.
To achieve the 500,000-visitor milestone from India, Sri Lanka is leveraging high-interest segments like weddings and corporate events, which promise strong foreign exchange earnings. However, sustaining this momentum requires targeted marketing, streamlined visa processes, and amplified outreach to Indian travelers amid heightened competition in the region. Authorities will also need to watch for evolving travel patterns and policy roadblocks that could impact potential.