📉 Sri Lanka Tourism Arrivals Down 3.3% in August Despite Esala Perahera Boost

• Overall Figures • August Arrivals: 191,704 (-3.29% YoY) • YTD Arrivals (Jan-Aug): 1.53 Mn (-2% YoY vs 1.56 Mn in 2025) • Comparison: YTD figures remain 3.1% below 2018 pre-pandemic benchmark (1.58 Mn) • Target Status: Approx. 1.17 Mn arrivals needed in Sep-Dec (avg. ~295,000/month) to reach 2026 target of 2.7 Mn • Key Market Factors & Trends • Disruption caused by Middle East tensions impacting regional aviation and travel patterns • Seasonal boost provided by Esala Perahera was insufficient to reverse the broader slowdown • Shift in focus: Tourism Deputy Minister stated the strategic priority is now on earnings rather than footfall • Top Source Markets (August 2026) • India: 47,253 • UK: 19,588 • China: 12,321 • Germany: 11,405 • France: 10,885 • Top Source Markets (YTD Jan-Aug 2026) • India: 385,483 (25% of total) • UK: 149,989 (10% of total) • China: 100,828 (7% of total) • Other key markets include Germany, Russia, Australia, France, US, Netherlands, and Canada