Sri Lanka’s tourism sector has extended its slump into April, with the Middle East conflict continuing to weigh on inbound arrivals. Latest Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority (SLTDA) data show the country received 39,627 visitors in the first eight days of the month, a 22 percent drop from 50,542 recorded in the same period last year, Daily FT reported on Friday.
The average daily arrival rate fell to 4,953 from 6,318 in early April 2025, reflecting the scale of disruption to international travel schedules as conflict in the Middle East rerouted or cancelled flights through major Gulf transit hubs.
Despite the monthly setback, cumulative arrivals for 2026 reached 780,261 by April 8, still up roughly 1 percent year-on-year overall. The modest gain rests on strong inflows recorded during January and February, before the regional crisis intensified.
India remains Sri Lanka’s largest source market, contributing 158,628 year-to-date visitors. The United Kingdom followed with 82,465 and Russia with 67,982. For the first eight days of April specifically, the UK sent 4,045 tourists, Australia 3,394, China 2,643 and Russia 2,064, with additional visitors from Germany, France, Bangladesh, the United States and Switzerland.
The April figures confirm a worsening trend after March arrivals already fell 19.7 percent year-on-year. Industry analysts warn that a prolonged extension of the Middle East crisis could push Sri Lanka further off its 2026 tourism targets, though the April 8 US–Iran ceasefire brokered in Islamabad may offer some relief if Gulf carrier schedules stabilise over the coming weeks.
