Sri Lanka is aiming to attract 2.5 million tourist arrivals by the end of 2026, Deputy Minister of Tourism Ruwan Ranasinghe said.
He noted that Sri Lanka continues to gain popularity among international travellers, with an increasing number of foreign visitors choosing the island as their holiday destination. The country's recent recognition as a leading global tourism destination has further strengthened efforts to enhance the sector.
The Deputy Minister said the government is introducing necessary reforms to support the industry's growth, including the development of new tourism zones and the upgrading of facilities and activities in existing tourist destinations.
According to the latest figures, 1,285,303 foreign tourists have visited Sri Lanka during the first several months of this year. Authorities expect that number to reach the 2.5 million target by the end of 2026.
Tourist arrivals also showed steady growth on a monthly basis. A total of 124,551 visitors arrived in June, while the figure increased to 138,730 so far in July.
Deputy Minister Ranasinghe expressed confidence that Sri Lanka is on track to achieve its annual tourism target, supported by the continued upward trend in international arrivals.
