Sri Lanka yesterday announced a revision of its tourist arrival forecast for 2025. The country is now targeting a minimum of 2.6 million visitors, down from the original goal of three million.
The announcement was made by Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority (SLTDA) Chairman Buddhika Hewawasam at the Connect and Conversations forum, part of the South Asian Travel Awards 2025 held in Colombo. Despite the adjustment, Hewawasam expressed confidence in the tourism sector’s recovery. He noted that reaching 2.6 million arrivals would still be a historical high for the nation, indicating robust growth.
Hewawasam did not comment on the status of tourism earnings, which the government had originally projected at US $5 billion for 2025. As of September 17, Sri Lanka had welcomed around 1.66 million tourists, generating estimated tourism earnings of US $3.4 billion for the first eight months. While arrivals show steady momentum, the trajectory suggests that achieving the initial three million target would be challenging, prompting the revised, more pragmatic forecast.
During his address, Hewawasam emphasized the potential for collaborative tourism within South Asia. “We see a future built on partnership, not just competition,” he said. “For example, Sri Lanka and the Maldives could complement each other wonderfully.”
This view was echoed by Visit Maldives Corporation Chairman Abdulla Ghiyas, who called for a shift in how regional tourism boards operate. Highlighting the strong relationship between the two island nations, Ghiyas noted that the Maldives is among the top 10 source countries for tourist arrivals in Sri Lanka. He also pointed to a decline in the resident Maldivian population in Sri Lanka, from around 15,000 at its peak to approximately 3,000 currently, emphasizing the need to strengthen these community ties.
“We must stop seeing each other as competitors and instead act as partners, sharing best practices and case studies that can benefit us all,” Ghiyas said, framing bilateral ties as a foundation for broader regional cooperation.
He highlighted the shifting global dynamics and Asia’s growing economic power. “With 60 percent of the world’s population in Asia, this is not just a trend; it’s a shift in the global balance of demand,” he said. Ghiyas urged tangible collaborative efforts, noting that other regions have successfully worked together through regional visas and joint marketing platforms. “I strongly believe we can do this in South Asia,” he added, asserting that such partnerships would help the region remain a global leader in tourism.
