Colombo
Tourist arrivals in Sri Lanka declined sharply in March due to disruptions caused by the ongoing conflict in West Asia, according to the Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority (SLTDA).
After strong inflows in January and February, with over 277,000 and 279,000 arrivals respectively, the country saw a significant fall in March to 183,979 visitors. Officials attributed the decline mainly to the war in the Gulf and Middle East region, which disrupted key transit routes and travel plans.
The SLTDA said that disruptions at major transit hubs affected international connectivity, leading to reduced tourist movement, particularly from long-haul markets dependent on Middle Eastern flight connections.
Despite the overall decline, India remained Sri Lanka’s largest source of tourists in March, contributing 47,533 arrivals and holding a 25.8% market share. The report highlighted that India’s proximity and strong air connectivity helped sustain steady travel flows.
The United Kingdom ranked second with 18,092 arrivals, followed by Russia and China. Officials noted that India’s direct flight network, which avoids transit through Middle Eastern hubs, provided a significant advantage during the regional crisis.
The SLTDA also stated that India has now emerged as a stable and high-volume short-haul market for Sri Lanka, helping partially offset declines from Europe and other affected regions.
Overall, the tourism authority emphasized that while external geopolitical tensions have impacted travel patterns, strong regional connectivity—particularly with India—continues to play a crucial role in supporting Sri Lanka’s tourism recovery.