Sri Lanka Records Historic Tourism Peak in February 📈

• Overall Performance: Sri Lanka welcomed 279,328 visitors in February 2026, marking the highest monthly arrival figure in the country’s history. This reflects a 16.3% YoY increase, surpassing the previous record of 253,169 set in December 2018. • Year-to-Date (YTD): Total arrivals for the first two months of 2026 reached 556,655, a 13% YoY rise, driven largely by the ICC T20 World Cup tournament. • Top Source Markets: • India: 47,679 arrivals (17% share), up 18% YTD. • UK: 30,788 arrivals (11% share). • Russia: 23,099 arrivals (8% share). • Other key contributors: Germany, China, and France. • Daily Trends: Average daily arrivals rose to 9,976 (vs. 8,579 last year). A single-day peak of 12,731 was recorded on February 12, fueled by high-net-worth fans attending the India-Pakistan cricket clash. • Outlook: While momentum is strong, stakeholders warn of potential "headwinds" in March. Escalating Middle East tensions leading to airspace closures and flight cancellations may temporarily disrupt the growth trajectory. _Source: Provisional industry data (March 2026)_