Analyse Sri Lanka's Visiting the Attractions Industry and Providing Key Economic Data for the Nation Between 2019 and 2024, as Well as Forecasts for 2025

Emusb Ekanayake

doi:doi:10.11648/j.ijeee.20261103.12

Research Article |

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Analyse Sri Lanka's Visiting the Attractions Industry and Providing Key Economic Data for the Nation Between 2019 and 2024, as Well as Forecasts for 2025

Emusb Ekanayake^*

Published in International Journal of Economy, Energy and Environment (Volume 11, Issue 3)

Received: 5 November 2025 Accepted: 20 November 2025 Published: 4 June 2026

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Abstract

With forecasts for 2025, this comprehensive analysis report looks at Sri Lanka's hospitality industry from 2019 to 2024. The report provides an overview of market trends, opportunities, challenges, and key industry segments. Government programs, rising business travel, and tourism have all contributed to Sri Lanka's hospitality sector's recent notable expansion. The sector is anticipated to directly contribute billions of dollars to the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) by 2025. Given the substantial contribution of tourism to Sri Lanka's GDP and employment, it is susceptible to various crises, necessitating accurate forecasting of visitor arrivals. The study's main contributions are the identification of Sri Lankan tourist destinations and the provision of insightful and creative viewpoints on them. According to this study, foreign visitors are expected to generate over $100 billion in revenue in the future. In order to improve sustainability, the industry is also putting policies like renewable energy, green building standards, and energy efficiency into place. Additionally, domestic travel is significant; over a million domestic trips are anticipated in the future. Finally, a greater proportion of people are expected to travel online in the future, indicating that the market for online travel will continue to grow. This research predicts data for the nation between 2019 and 2024, as well as forecasts for 2025 using Excel software and gives Sri Lankan destinations and detailed information on hotels and other rooms. This one is very important for indoor/outdoor, local, and foreign tourists. Finally, the finding validates the need for government involvement in promoting and increasing international tourism demand to attain sustainable growth and development in the industry.

Published in	International Journal of Economy, Energy and Environment (Volume 11, Issue 3)
DOI	10.11648/j.ijeee.20261103.12
Page(s)	59-73
Creative Commons	This is an Open Access article, distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/), which permits unrestricted use, distribution and reproduction in any medium or format, provided the original work is properly cited.
Copyright	Copyright © The Author(s), 2026. Published by Science Publishing Group

Keywords

Sri Lanka Tourism Industry, Hotels, Online Travel and Domestic Tourism, Challenges, Opportunities

1. Introduction

A more varied economic and social phenomenon, tourism has grown steadily over time. Today, tourism is one of the sectors with the fastest rate of growth in the world and has grown to be a significant, if not essential, source of income for many nations and regions. In the 1980 Manila Declaration on World Tourism, it was acknowledged as "an activity essential to the life of nations because of its direct effects on the social, cultural, educational, and economic sectors of national societies and on their international relations" (The World Tourism Conference, 1980

[21]

). Tourism boosts the economy because it generates large sums of money that consumers can spend on necessities. The travel and tourism industry is extremely dynamic and competitive, requiring the ability to continuously adapt to the rapidly changing needs and desires of tourists, as their satisfaction, safety, and enjoyment are the industry's top priorities. Additionally, there is synonymy with logistics and transportation operations, environmental degradation, and tourism.

[24]

. The correct policies and investment decisions are essential to ensuring Sri Lanka can compete in the global travel and tourism market and to fully realize the economic potential of the sector. An important step is the 2017–2020 Tourism Strategic Plan from the Ministry of Tourism Development and Christian Tourism

[12]

But the COVID-19 pandemic has had an unprecedented effect, shutting down the travel and tourism industry almost entirely. The number of foreign visitors in 2020 was 74% lower than the previous year. Most travel industry experts agree that a lengthy recovery is expected and that it will take until 2023 or later for arrivals to return to their pre-COVID levels.

1.1. A Historical Perspective on Sri Lankan Tourism

Sri Lanka has been a popular tourist destination for centuries due to its uniqueness and advantageous location. When Marco Polo visited Sri Lanka, then known as Ceylon, at the end of the 13th century A. D., he declared, "The traveler reaches Ceylon, which is the untouchably finest island of its size all the World" (UNDP; WTO,

[22]

). Traders and explorers therefore referred to it as "The Pearl of the Indian Ocean," Serendib, Ceylon, and "Taprobane" for a long time (SLTDA,

[19]

). The Kandiyan Kingdom became a British colony after the British conquered it in 1815. The Portuguese had been the first Westerners to settle there in 1505. In 1948, Sri Lanka was once again independent of the British. Sri Lanka can still be classified as a "tourism country" despite fluctuations in the number of tourists since independence (Brau, Di Liberto, & Pigliaru,

[2]

). The majority of the first tourists to arrive in Sri Lanka were drawn by religious tourism, such as pilgrimages to Adam's Peak or visits to shrines in the former capitals of Anuradhapura and Polonnaruwa (Fernando,

[8]

). However, during the colonial era, Sri Lanka was a popular tourist destination for cruise ships, freighters, and other vessels that sailed through the port of Colombo between the West and the East because of its central location on the world sea lanes.

In order to enjoy sightseeing in Colombo, Kandy, and the surrounding areas, the passengers would enter the port of Colombo. In order to assist these travelers and sailors who were traveling from the West to the East when they landed, the Sri Lankan government established its first tourist bureau in 1937 (Fernando,

[7]

). During this time, "it is estimated that approximately one hundred thousand to two hundred thousand passengers visited the country per annum" (SLTDA,

[19]

), despite the lack of precise records. However, because of the start of World War II, the Tourist Bureau shut down in 1940. The 1940s saw a low level of tourism because of the war.

Tourist Bureau was established under the Ministry of Commerce by the new government in 1948 after the country gained independence in an effort to restructure tourism. In order to promote tourism abroad, this bureau was given the responsibility. According to SLTDA data (SLTDA,

[19]

), during British colonial control, a variety of lodging options were built all over the nation. The original purpose of these facilities was to serve planters, the business community, and government officials rather than to promote inbound tourism. Some of these comparatively opulent lodging establishments, which were formerly the homes of colonial governors, were later transformed into upscale hotels in Sri Lanka to support the expanding travel and tourism sector.

The Queens Hotel in Kandy, the Grand Hotel and St. Andrews Hotel in Nuwara Eliya, the Galle Face Hotel, the Grand Oriental Hotel, and the Mount Lavinia Hotel in Colombo, as well as the New Oriental Hotel in Galle, were among them. These hotels underwent renovations and were utilized as first-rate lodging options for tourists from other countries. Other lodging options, such as tourist rest houses, were constructed in addition to these hotels. In areas of scenic beauty like Ella, Belihul Oya, Horton Plains, Pussellawa, Polonnaruwa, Sigiriya, Dambulla, Tissa Wewa, Nuwara Wewa, Kitulgala, Bentota, and Tissamaharama, these lodging facilities were constructed.

The tourism sector gained a great deal of respect and confidence between 1948 and 1953 as a result of this expanding supply of facilities, as well as the accompanying government promotion and foreign relations operation. During this time, tourism receipts doubled from $1.04 million to $2.23 million (

[6, 9]

). International tourism exploded in the 1950s (Nordström,

[9]

), largely due to the introduction of jet aircraft for civilian transport after World War II (May & Hill,

[10]

). Thus, Sri Lanka had an excellent opportunity to establish a tourism hub midway between the East and the West by utilizing its unique central location and reasonably priced accommodation options. It was necessary to invest in infrastructure if developing countries were to profit from this surge in international travel. To facilitate inbound travel, for example, new airports needed to have parking lots, large terminal buildings, longer, wider runways, and modern facilities.

The government's lack of support for tourism activities, however, caused Sri Lanka's top hotels to have low occupancy rates (ranging from 14 to 32 percent) and a sharp decline in tourist arrivals between 1954 and 1960 (Due,

[3]

). Apart from a brief period from 1948 to 1956, Sri Lanka, like other South Asian nations, enacted a protectionist import-substitution regime following independence (Athukorala,

[1]

). Tourism was not viewed as a crucial component of the national economic development strategy during this closed trade policy era, as the government's primary goal was to create import-substitution industries to spur growth. According to the United Nations (

[23]

), open economic policies generally had a positive correlation with the growth of tourism during this time. Sri Lanka thus lost a great chance to become a significant transportation and tourism hub connecting the East and the West when the earlier tourism-oriented development failed to take hold. In contrast, Singapore, a noteworthy rival in this field, was strategically advancing quickly by enhancing the infrastructure required to foster and support international travel in the 1960s, and it emerged as the main hub connecting the East and the West. By failing to invest in infrastructure related to tourism and failing to recognize tourism as a significant sector in its national economic development policy, Sri Lankan policymakers lost this initial chance to grow its tourism industry (Fernando,

[4, 5]

1.2. An Overview of Sri Lanka's Tourism

The hospitality industry in Sri Lanka has grown significantly in recent years, driven by an increase in both business and leisure travel as well as government programs to assist the sector. The industry encompasses a wide range of businesses, including hotels, resorts, guesthouses, restaurants, and event venues. The hospitality industry is a major contributor to Sri Lanka's GDP, employment, and foreign exchange earnings. The goal of this market research is to present a comprehensive picture of Sri Lanka's hospitality industry by examining significant market segments, trends, opportunities, and difficulties. The report uses data that is currently available from reputable research firms, industry associations, and government agencies for accuracy and applicability.

In addition to growing commercial crops like tea, rubber, coconut, and spices, Sri Lanka is a leading agricultural nation that produces paddy, vegetables, grain, yams, and fruits for domestic consumption. 2024 saw a 7.8% contribution from agriculture to the GDP (Central Bank of Sri Lanka,

[13]

). With a contribution of 57.5% of the GDP in 2024, the service sector—which encompassed trade, transportation, tourism, communication, financial services, public administration, national defiance, and other services—became the dominant sector (Central Bank of Sri Lanka,

[13]

). However, the industrial sector has experienced significant growth in recent years. According to the Central Bank of Sri Lanka (

[13]

), it made up 25.5% of the country's GDP in 2024. According to this data, the service sector's GDP contribution is steadily declining and is still greater than that of the agricultural sector. This ought to serve as a reliable indicator for policymakers as they make decisions about how to identify new opportunities for the service sector's continued growth. The agricultural sector utilized all of Sri Lanka's arable land to the fullest extent possible. As a result, the agricultural sector does not create many jobs. Given the aforementioned circumstances, the Sri Lankan government endeavored to identify fresh prospects for the growth of the service industry over the ensuing ten years in order to boost its economic expansion. Tourism was found to be Sri Lanka's largest and fastest-growing industry, particularly after post-war development in 2009 (Suresh & Senethilnathan,

[20]

). Numerous effects on the national economy are produced by the tourism industry. Both industrialized and developing nations benefit economically from it. Business development, job creation, social development, environmental and cultural quality, and economic growth are all facilitated by it (Onetiu & Predonu,

[15]

). There is a long-term positive correlation between tourism development and economic growth, and many developing nations and regions view tourism development as a chance for social and economic advancement (Mihalic,

[11]

). Igoumenakis et al.

[14]

, Rohini

[16]

) and numerous other nations have demonstrated this. However, tourism essentially requires a lot of labor. For this reason, it is very important to Sri Lanka's economy. Although official figures for Sri Lanka's "tourist total workers" in 2024 are unavailable, a 2023 study calculated that the hotel and restaurant industry would require 146,105 workers in 2024, with a projected shortfall of 24,898 workers. According to lanka newsweb. net and the Daily Mirror, the Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority reported that the number of workers in the tourism sector increased by 11.24% in 2023 to 429,641, a number that would have probably increased even more in 2024. Sri Lanka.

The main objective of the research was to determine why there were less attempts at forecasting in Sri Lanka's tourism sector, despite the fact that forecasting aims to reduce industry risks and maximize the productivity of all decisions made.

1.3. A Comprehensive Overview of Sri Lanka's Economy

In recent years, Sri Lanka's economy has shown resilience in the face of global economic challenges. The table below displays key economic indicators for Sri Lanka from 2019 to 2024 as well as projections for 2025:

Table 1. Key Economic Indicators for Sri Lanka from 2019 to 2024.

Indicator	2019	2020	2021	2022	2023	2024	2025
GDP ($ billions)	89.02	84.30	88.61	74.59	83.72	98.96	106.42
GDP Growth Rate (%)	-0.2	-4.6	4.2	-7.3	-2.3	5.0	4.9
Inflation Rate (%)	3.53	6.15	6.0	45.2	17.4	1.24	5.5
Population (millions)	21.803	21.919	22.156	22.181	22.037	23.103	23.230

(Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority-2025).

2. Monthly Tourist Arrivals Reports 2025

Monthly Tourist Arrivals Report for the month of January which consists of information on tourist arrivals and hotel occupancy was published.

Table 2. Report on Monthly and Annual Tourist Arrivals

[18]

	2014	2015	2016	2017	2018	2019	2020	2021	2022	2023	2024	2025
January	146,575	156,246	194,280	219,360	238,924	244,239	228,434	1,682	82,327	102,545	208,253	252,761
February	141,878	165,541	197,697	197,517	235,618	252,033	207,507	3,366	96,507	107,639	218,350	240,217
March	133,048	157,051	192,841	188,076	233,382	244,328	71,370	4,581	106,500	125,495	209,181	229,298
April	112,631	122,217	136,367	160,249	180,429	166,975	0	4,168	62,980	105,498	148,867	174,608
May	90,046	113,529	125,044	121,891	129,466	37,802	0	1,497	30,207	83,309	112,128	132,919
June	103,175	115,467	118,038	123,351	146,828	63,072	0	1,614	32,856	100,388	113,470	138,241
July	133,971	175,804	209,351	205,482	217,829	115,701	0	2,429	47,293	143,039	187,810	200,244
August	140,319	166,610	186,288	190,928	200,359	143,587	0	5,040	37,760	136,405	164,609	198,235
September	105,535	143,374	148,499	145,077	149,087	108,575	0	13,547	29,802	111,938	122,140	148,673
October	121,576	132,280	150,419	152,429	153,123	118,743	0	22,771	42,026	109,199	135,907
November	119,727	144,147	167,217	167,511	195,582	176,984	0	44,294	59,759	151,496	184,158
December	178,672	206,114	224,791	244,536	253,169	241,663	393	89,506	91,961	210,352	248,592
	1,527,153	1,798,380	2,050,832	2,116,407	2,333,796	1,913,702	507,704	194,495	719,978	1,487,303	2,053,465	1,368,288

(Reserved by Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority).

3. Overview of the Hospitality Industry

The hospitality sector in Sri Lanka includes a wide variety of lodging options, such as hotels, resorts, guesthouses, hostels, and serviced apartments. The number of rooms and licensed lodging facilities in Sri Lanka from 2019 to 2024 is shown in the table below, along with estimates for 2025:

Table 3. Number of Rooms and Licensed Lodging Facilities.

Year	Licensed Establishments	Total Rooms
2019	2,620	40,365
2020	3,019	42,750
2021	3,656	47,337
2022	3,823	48,120
2023	4,346	53,229
2024	4,390	53,378
2025	4,638	56,702

The Western Province had the most rooms of any province, increasing from 18,716 in 2024 to 19,924 in 2025. This 1,208-room increase highlights the province's significance as the nation's commercial and tourism center. With 820 more rooms added, the Southern Province—which is well-known for its beaches and historical landmarks—saw the second-largest increase, reaching 14,536. The Central Province, which is home to important cultural landmarks and breathtaking scenery, saw a notable increase as well, going from 8,771 to 9,437 rooms—a gain of 666. Growth was more moderate in other provinces. While the North Central and North Western Provinces saw increases of 150 and 142 rooms, respectively, the Eastern Province saw an increase of 223 rooms. There was a smaller addition of 77 rooms in Sabaragamuwa Province.

There was little growth or ongoing stagnation in that area, as evidenced by the Northern Province's nearly static 3 room increase and Uva Province's meager 35 room increase. The regions of the Western, Southern, and Central Provinces that are already well-established in the tourism circuit saw the greatest growth. There is a notable concentration of SLTDA

[17]

registered rooms in the Western, Southern, and Central Provinces of Sri Lanka, which together make up almost 78% of all available rooms. The Western Province has the most, followed by the Southern and Central Provinces. This indicates that these regions have received significant investment and attention in tourism infrastructure because of their well-established attractions, first-rate infrastructure, and close proximity to important transportation hubs. Provinces like Northern, Sabaragamuwa, North Central, and North Western, on the other hand, have significantly fewer registered rooms, suggesting that these areas are underdeveloped or have unrealized tourism potential. In order to encourage balanced tourism growth, diversify visitor experiences, and support wider regional economic development, this disparity emphasizes the necessity of focused policy measures and investment. In order to achieve a more balanced development of tourism infrastructure throughout the nation, these trends underscore the necessity of more focused investment and promotional strategies in underrepresented areas, such as the Northern and Uva Provinces.

Table 4. Total Rooms by Provinces, 2024 & up to JUNE 2025 (SLTDA).

Province	Number of rooms up to June 2025	Number of rooms up to June 2024
Central Province	9,437	8,771
Eastern Province	2,749	2,526
North Central Province	2,505	2,355
North Western Province	2,235	2,093
Northern Province	1,071	1,068
Sabaragamuwa Province	1,472	1,395
Southern Province	14,536	13,716
Uva Province	2,773	2,738
Western Province	19,924	18,716
Total number of rooms	56,702	53,378

There is a significant concentration of SLTDA registered rooms in major coastal and urban areas of Sri Lanka, with Colombo and Galle contributing the most with 11,178 and 9,180 rooms, respectively. Following these are Gampaha, Kalutara, Kandy, Matara, and Nuwara Eliya, each of which has between 2,500 and 4,700 rooms, indicating its status as a major hub for business, culture, and tourism. Significant regional differences in tourism infrastructure are highlighted by the fact that some districts, including Moneragala and Polonnaruwa, as well as Mannar, Mullaitivu, Kilinochchi, and Vavuniya in the Northern Province, have fewer than 700 registered rooms each. The Western, Southern, and Central districts have seen a boom in tourism development, but many other areas are still underdeveloped or underutilized in terms of lodging capacity, as indicated by this unequal distribution. By addressing these disparities with focused investment and promotion, we can help unlock the tourism potential of less-traveled districts, promote regional economic development, and help create a more equitable and inclusive tourism industry in Sri Lanka.

Table 5. Number of Rooms by Star Category, up to June 2025.

Star category	Number of rooms up to June
One	1,802
Two	2,029
Three	2,821
Four	3,834
Five	6,603
Total	17,089

According to a star-by-star analysis of SLTDA-registered establishments, Sri Lanka's lodging market is significantly biased toward upscale options, with five-star hotels holding the largest percentage of rooms (38.6%). At 39% of the total, four-star and three-star establishments constitute a sizeable portion as well. By comparison, only 22.4% of rooms are classified as one or two stars.

4. Other Lodging Segments

Ayurvedic hotels, heritage homes, homestays, bungalows, rented apartments, boutique hotels, and guesthouses are some of Sri Lanka's other lodging options. These accommodate a range of traveler preferences, including opportunities for cultural immersion, affordable options, and luxury and heritage experiences.

Table 6. Room Totals by Other Lodging Categories.

Segment	Total Rooms	Place
Guest house	209	Kandy
	170	Negombo
	26	Colombo
	173	Ella
	162	Galle
	150	Nuwara Eliya
	128	Anuradapura
	90	Trincomalee
	30	Haputale
	78	Sigiriya
	167	Hikkaduwa
	214	Mirissa
	8	Pasikuda
	11	Matale
	11	Mount Lavinia
	63	Jaffna District
	65	Yala National Park
Ayurvedic hotels	29	Amangalla-Galle Fort
	42	Anantara Peace Haven- Tangalla
	30	Water Garden Sigiriya
	39	Cape Weligama
Boutique Hotels	5	Maya Tangalle
	9	The Flame Tree Estate & Hotel -Kandy
	5	Shiva Sunrise Resort -Hikkaduwa
	6	Vanina Villas -Matara
	17	Karpaha Sands -Pasikuda
	11	Kurulu Bay -Ahangama
	14	Villa Thamburu -Bentota
	5	Plantation House -Hikkaduwa
	7	Nyne Hotels Rock Villa -Bentota
	4	UYANA Boutique Hotel and Retreat ADULTS ONLY -Ahangama
	3	Lake View Villa -Mirissa
	5	Elysium Unawatuna
	28	Wild Coast Tented Lodge - Relais and Chateaux - All Inclusive -Yala
	16	Buckingham Place -Tangalle
	9	Aathma Colombo House -Colombo
	10	The Glenrock Wellness Nature Resort -Belihul Oya
	7	Villa SPACE -Unawatuna
	6	Lagoon gate Tangalle Resort -Tangalle
	7	Ravana Garden -Ambalantota
	10	Kayaam House - Ayurveda & Wellness - Tangalle

5. Destination Attractions and Environment

These are the destination's constituent parts that significantly impact travelers' decisions and drive their travel decisions. They consist of landscape, seascape, beaches, climate, flora, fauna, nature, and wildlife. Scenic landscapes, adventures and experiences, and other geographical features of the place and its natural resources are examples of natural attractions. constructed tourist attractions like buildings and infrastructure, such as monuments, promenades, parks and gardens, convention centers, ski slopes, industrial archaeology, golf courses, specialty shops, and themed retail spaces, as well as buildings and monuments. Folklore and history, art and religion, theater, dance, music, and other forms of entertainment, as well as museums, are examples of cultural attractions. Social attractions include the language, the host or resident population's way of life and customs, and chances for social interaction.

Services and amenities at the destination These are the constituent elements that are present in the location and enable visitors to remain and enjoy it. They featured lodging options like hotels, vacation homes, villas, apartments, campsites, caravan parks, hostels, condominiums, farms, guesthouses, and eateries, ranging from fast food to fine dining establishments. Transportation options at the destination, such as coaches, taxis, rental cars, and bicycles, influence how satisfied tourists are. Sports/interest activities include golf clubs, sailing schools, ski schools, and stadiums for spectators, as well as centers for nature studies and arts and crafts. Additional resources, like health clubs and language schools. Retail establishments include stores, tour operators, gift shops, and sites that provide information on camping gear, rental equipment, and tourism police laws, including the various regulatory controls over transportation activities. A tourist's choice of destination is also influenced by factors such as the destination's attractiveness, the quality of the services and facilities, the location, and the accessibility of the centers.

6. Location and Tourism Attractions on Sri Lanka

The following are gorgeous and seductive locations in Sri Lanka:

Table 7. Destination in Sri Lanka.

Destination
Anuradapura: The city is located on the banks of the historic Malwathu Oya in the North Central Province, 205 kilometers (127 miles) north of the present-day capital of Colombo. Being a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of Sri Lanka's former capitals, Anuradhapura is unquestionably worth a visit, particularly for those with an interest in history, archaeology, and Buddhism. It is well-known for the remarkably intact remnants of the ancient Lankan civilization. You can find a famous sacred Bodhi tree, old buildings, temples, a large archaeological site rich in history, and impressive stupas like Ruwanwelisaya, Thuparamaya, Lovamahapaya, Abhayagiri Dagaba, Jetavanarama, Mirisaveti Stupa, and Lankarama.
Arugambay: Located on the Indian Ocean in the arid region of Sri Lanka's southeast coast, Arugam Bay is well-known for its reliable waves and variety of surf spots suitable for surfers of all abilities. The bay is 320 kilometers east of the city of Colombo. It is a well-liked surfing and vacation spot. The months of April through September are roughly when the surf season is at its height. In addition to surfing, tourists can explore neighboring attractions like the Pottuvil Lagoon, the wildlife-rich Kumana National Park, and historic locations like the Kidumbigala Monastery. With a variety of activities like yoga, fresh seafood, and unusual experiences like crocodile spotting at the nearby Crocodile Rock, the area offers a lively yet serene atmosphere.
Adam's Peak: Adam's Peak is a 2,243-meter (7,359-foot) conical mountain in central Sri Lanka that rises above the surrounding range and resembles a pyramid. Adam's Peak is surrounded by a tropical rainforest, including the Peak Wilderness Sanctuary, which was declared a conservation area in 1940. Adam's Peak is 129.4 kilometers east of the city of Colombo. The tea estates surrounding the sanctuary keep the elephant population isolated from the lowlands. The three main rivers that emerge from Adam's Peak in Sri Lanka are the Kalu, Walawe, and Kelani. The abundance of garnets, rubies, and sapphires in the gneiss rock of the peak is well known. Buddhism, Hinduism, Christianity, and Islam all hold the Sri Pada in high regard. Every year, a large number of pilgrims from all religions come to the peak.
Batticola: The city is a significant commercial hub and home to Sri Lanka's Eastern University. Located on an island, it is 111 kilometers (69 miles) south of Trincomalee on the east coast. A well-liked vacation spot, Pasikudah is located 35 km (22 mi) northwest and features flat, warm-water shallow lagoons and beaches all year round. When all is said and done, Batticaloa is well worth the trip, especially for those who enjoy the outdoors and want to explore a lesser-known Sri Lankan area. It provides unique cultural experiences, opportunities to interact with hospitable locals, and stunning natural beauty, including its famous beaches and lagoon. Though less popular than other Sri Lankan tourist spots, its charm lies in its tranquility, rich biodiversity, and opportunity to see the nation from a new perspective.
Bentota: Travelers looking for stunning beaches, water sports, natural experiences like river safaris and turtle sanctuaries, and cultural outings to nearby temples and estates like Lunuganga Estate should definitely consider Bentota. It is a tranquil yet interesting location on Sri Lanka's southwest coast, combining resort conveniences with tranquil natural features. Additionally, Bentota offers Ayurveda, an age-old medical practice. Bentota is well-known for producing toddy, an alcoholic beverage made from coconut nectar. It is roughly 56 kilometers (35 miles) north of Galle and 65 kilometers (40 miles) south of Colombo.
Beruwala: Beruwala is situated 60 kilometers (37 miles) south of Colombo on Sri Lanka's southwest coast. Visitors can enjoy a wide range of tourist attractions in Beruwala, from historical sites and picturesque landscapes to frightful religious statues and temples. One of the most charming beaches on the southwest coast is Beruwala, which boasts golden sands and a turquoise ocean. Founded by Arab traders in the eighth century AD, it marks the location of the island's first Muslim settlement.
Hambantota Bundala national Park: In 2005, UNESCO designated the national park a biosphere reserve, making it Sri Lanka's fourth biosphere reserve. Situated 245 kilometers (152 miles) southeast of Colombo is the national park. A fantastic chance to witness some incredible wildlife and bird species in the southern region of Sri Lanka is provided by Bundala National Park Safari. Don't pass up this opportunity to see one of the most well-known bird species that spends the winter here: the Greater Flamingo. Significant numbers of elephants, turtles, marsh and estuarine crocodiles, and other animals, such as leopards, can also be found in the park. Bundala National Park, which stretches east of Hambantota along the coast, is perfect for those seeking instant gratification because it offers flamingos, giant squirrels, elephants, and eight-foot crocs during a four-hour jeep ride. During the dry season (December to May), visitors have the best chance of seeing wildlife on afternoon safaris.
Colombo: Colombo is the lively capital of Sri Lanka, this city captivates visitors with its rich tapestry of history, culture, and modernity. Through this Colombo tourism, you can explore bustling markets and colonial-era architecture, tranquil temples and vibrant street food stalls. Situated on the west coast of the island, just south of the Kelani River, Colombo is a principal port on the Indian Ocean. It has one of the largest artificial harbours in the world and handles the majority of Sri Lanka’s foreign trade.
Dambulla: Dambulla is located 72 kilometers (45 miles) north of Kandy, 43 kilometers (27 miles) north of Matale, and 148 kilometers (92 miles) northeast of Colombo. The city's main attractions are the Rangiri Dambulla International Stadium and Sri Lanka's largest and best-preserved cave temple complex. The city also boasts the Iron Wood Forest, also known as Namal Uyana, and the largest rose quartz mountain range in South Asia. Located north of Kandy, Dambulla is a town built around a vast isolated rock mass and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The most recent archaeological site of significant historical importance discovered in Dambulla is the Ibbankatuwa prehistoric burial site near the Dhambulla cave temple complexes. The words "Ulla," which means fountain, and "Damba," which means rock, were combined to create the name "Dambulla."
Ella: At an elevation of 1,041 meters above sea level, Ella is located in the Badulla District of Uva Province, about 200 kilometers east of Colombo. Ella, which is only 8 km from Bandarawela, boasts some of the most breathtaking views. The region is rich in biodiversity, with a wide variety of plants and animals. Entering the Grand Ella Motel's (formerly the Ella Rest House) garden gives you a taste of Ella's breathtaking scenery. It feels as though you are standing on the edge of the world, with everything around you seemingly vanishing at your feet. A few of the locations in Ella are the Ella Gap, Ravana Ella Falls, Little Adam's Peak, and Bambaragala Peak, in addition to the numerous other delightful walks with breathtaking views.
Galle: Galle is a town located 119 kilometers from Colombo on the southwest coast of Sri Lanka. The main river is the Gin Ganga, which originates in Gongala Kanda and flows past the villages of Neluwa, Nagoda, Baddegama, Thelikada, and Wakwella before ending at Ginthota, where it meets the sea. The longest bridge in Sri Lanka is the Wakwella Bridge. Galle is well-known for its Dutch Fort, the largest European colonial fortress still standing in Asia and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. In addition, the region is well-known for its natural harbor, Old Town's colonial charm, the Galle Lighthouse, and as a location to learn about Sri Lankan history and culture.
Hambanthota: A rural town in Sri Lanka's southeast coastal region is called Hambantota. In Sri Lanka's Southern Province, it serves as the capital of the Hambantota District as well. There are 241 kilometers separating Colombo and Hambantota. There are 126 kilometers of highway. The Hambantota International Port, a significant transshipment hub in the Indian Ocean, and the city's abundant natural attractions, including Ridiyagama Safari Park, Yala National Park, Kumana National Park, and Bundala National Park, which is renowned for its biodiversity, wildlife, and birds, are what make Hambantota famous. Along with historical landmarks and hot springs, the area offers agrotourism attractions such as the Agro Technology Park and the Dry Zone Botanic Gardens.
Hikkaduwa: Hikkaduwa is located on Sri Lanka's south coast. About 20 kilometers northwest of Galle, in the Southern Province, is where you can find it. Hikkaduwa's beach and corals are its main draws. The impacted villages were Rathgama, Kahawa, Paraliya, Dodanduwa, and Telwatta. The location is on the well-known Galle road, which runs from Colombo to Galle. It is 129.5 miles away. Hikkaduwa is regarded as a worthwhile destination, particularly for tourists drawn to the vibrant beach atmosphere, water sports, and marine life. It provides great diving and snorkeling at its Coral Sanctuary, chances to see sea turtles, well-known surf spots, and easy access to other sites like the city of Galle and the Sea Turtle Hatchery.
Horton Place: Horton National Park is located in Sri Lanka's highlands. It is located in the central highlands at a height of over 2,000 meters, and because of its elevation, the climate there is significantly colder and windier than in Sri Lanka's lowlands. The drive from Colombo to Horton Plains, which is about 183 to 210 km away, can take 4 to 5 hours via the Ohiya entrance or 4 hours via the Pattipola entrance. In 2010, UNESCO designated it as a Natural Heritage site. The park is full of stunning forests and waterfalls and is well-known for its endemic species of plants and animals. World's End in Sri Lanka is Horton Plains' most well-known attraction.
Jaffna: The capital of Sri Lanka's Northern Province is Jaffna. Depending on the mode of transportation, the trip from Colombo to Jaffna can take anywhere from seven to eight hours by train and six to seven hours by bus. The quickest option is flying, which takes about an hour and fifteen minutes. The road distance between Jaffna and Colombo is 394.8 km. The city of Jaffna is located in Sri Lanka's northern region. With its elaborate gopuram tower and golden arches, Nallur Kandaswamy is a massive Hindu temple. The Portuguese constructed the star-shaped Jaffna Fort along the coast in the 17th century, and the Dutch and British later took it over.
Kalkuda: On the eastern coast of Sri Lanka, Kalkudah Beach is a calm and immaculate beach that is well-known for its golden sand, calm waters that are shielded by an offshore reef, and peaceful atmosphere. Kalkudah Beach, which is roughly 35 kilometers northwest of Batticaloa and the more crowded Passekudah Beach, provides a tranquil haven with chances for swimming, snorkeling, and beach walks. Kalkudah Beach is well-known for its wide stretch of golden sand and pristine waters. Swimming, tanning, and taking leisurely walks along the shore are all made possible by the beach's shallow and calm waters. A tranquil diversion from busier tourist destinations is offered by the beach's comparatively unspoiled nature.
Kalpitiya: Despite its natural beauty, the western peninsular area of KALPITIYA in the Puttalam district of Sri Lanka is remarkably untouched by tourism. With the small close-knit fishing community dominating the lives of the local people, visitors can get a real insight into working life away from the city. After watching the night fishing boats return in the morning, a visit to one of the fish markets offers the opportunity to choose the evening meal direct from the fresh catch! Leisurely boat rides up the lagoon and canoe trips down the river are a pleasant way of exploring the coastline,
Kandy: Kandy in Sinhala, pronounced is the English name for the city of Maha Nuvara (Senkadagalapura) in the centre of Sri Lanka. It is the capital of the Central Province and Kandy District. It lies in the midst of hills in the Kandy Valley which crosses an area of tropical plantations, mainly tea. Kandy is one of the most scenic cities in Sri Lanka. Kandy is of both an administrative and religious city. It is the capital of the Central Province and also of the administrative district of Kandy.
Katunayake: Katunayake a town is situated on the west coast of the island of Sri Lanka near Negombo and close to the commercial capital of Colombo. It is the site of Bandaranaike International Airport, the primary international air gateway to Sri Lanka. With the change of government in 1977 and the introduction of the open economy policy a large area was allocated to create a free trade zone. This created a large amount of job opportunities for the local youth and has contributed substantially towards the country's economy.
Kitulgala: Kitulgala is a small town in the west of Sri Lanka. It is in the wet zone rainforest, which gets two monsoons each year, and is one of the wettest places in the country. Nevertheless, it comes alive in the first three months of the year, especially in February, the driest month. The Academy Award-winning "The Bridge on the River Kwai" was filmed on the Kelani River near Kitulgala, although nothing remains now except the concrete foundations for the bridge Kitulgala is also a base for white-water rafting, which starts a few kilometres upstream.
Knuckles Mountain: The Knuckles Mountain Range lies in central Sri Lanka, north-east of the city of Kandy. The range takes its name from a series of recumbent folds and peaks in the west of the massif which resemble the knuckles of clenched fist when viewed from certain locations in the Kandy District. Whilst this name was assigned by early British surveyors, the Sinhalese residents have traditionally referred to the area as Dumbara Kanduvetiya meaning mist-laden mountain range (Cooray, 1984). The entire area is characterised by its striking landscapes often robed in thick layers of cloud but in addition to its aesthetic value the range is of great scientific interest. It is a climatic microcosm of the rest of Sri Lanka.
Mannar: The natural beauty, distinctive cultural landmarks, and varied wildlife of Mannar are its main draws for tourists. In addition to Adam's Bridge, visitors can see rare baobab trees, religious sites like the Shrine of Our Lady of Madhu, historical forts, and a variety of birds in sanctuaries.
Matara: Matara historically belongs to the area called Ruhana, one of the three kingdoms in Sri Lanka (Thun Sinhalaya). First Indians who arrived to the island country according to the Mahawansa settled in the area, along the banks of Nilwala river. Matara was ruled by Sinhala kings for thousands of years and this is evident by the ancient temples and shrines built by them such as temples in Dondra (Devinuwara) and Weherahena. The temple in the middle of the town is also built by ancient kings and now it is a very popular sacred place among the Buddhists in the area. In 16th and 18th centuries Matara was ruled by Portuguese and Dutch respectively.
Minneriya: Minneriya is a small town in Sri Lanka, and is famous for two things, for the great Minneriya lake build by King Mahasen and for the Minneriya wildlife sanctuary which is a hot spot for safari lovers because of the abandons of Elephants. Furthermore it is situated near Habarana which have some high class hotels for tourists and some famous world heritage sites like Anuradhapura, Polonnaruwa and Sigiriya which are relatively close to Minneriya.
Nigombo: Negombo is a town of about 65,000, approximately 37 km north of Colombo, in Sri Lanka. It is located at the mouth of the Negombo lagoon, about 7 km from the Bandaranaike International Airport. Negombo has a small port, and its economy is mainly based on tourism and its centuries-old fishing industry, though it also produces cinnamon, ceramics, and brass ware.
Nilaweli: Nilaveli is a coastal resort town located about 20 km North-West of Trincomalee, Trincomalee District, Sri Lanka. It used to be a popular tourist destination.
Nuwaraeliya: Nuwara Eliya meaning "city on the plain (table land)" or "city of light", is a town in Sri Lanka. It is located at an altitude of 1,868 m (6,128 ft) in the central highlands and is considered one of the most important locations for Tea production in Sri Lanka. The town is overlooked by Pidurutalagala, the highest mountain in Sri Lanka.
Pasikuda: Pasikudah or Pasikuda is a coastal resort town located about 35 kilometers northwest of Batticaloa, Batticaloa District, Sri Lanka. It used to be a popular tourist destination, Pasikudah and Kalkudah are located few km apart.
Pinnawala: The Pinnewela Elephant Orphanage is situated northwest of the town of Kegalle, halfway between the present capital Colombo and the ancient royal residence Kandy in the hills of central Sri Lanka. It was established in 1975 by the Sri Lanka wildlife department in a 25-acre coconut property near the Maha Oya river. The orphanage was originally founded in order to afford care and protection to the many orphaned elephants found in the jungle. As of 2008, there are about 84 elephants.
Polonnaruwa: The second most ancient of Sri Lanka's kingdoms, Polonnaruwa was first declared the capital city by King Vijayabahu I, who defeated the Chola invaders in 1070 CE to reunite the country once more under a local leader.
Puttalam: The history of this dry zone district goes back to the arrival of North Indian Prince Vijaya, 2500 years ago in Tammanna in the coastal belt above Puttalam. This happened when his vessel was washed ashore. Thonigala the homeland of Kuweni is deep in the district. The name "Puttalam" may be a modification of in Tamil Uppuththalam, i.e, Uppu means Salt and Thalam means the place where salt production. So finally the name came Puttalam.
Ratnapura: Ratnapura is the name of the provincial capital of Sabaragamuwa Province of Sri Lanka and the Ratnapura District in which the town is situated. Some say the modern name is derived from the Portuguese name Rapadura for jaggery, the palm candy produced traditionally in this region, but the more common explanation in Sri Lanka is that it comes from the Sinhala "ratna" meaning gems and "pura" meaning city. Ratnapura is also spelled as Rathnapura. Located some 101 km south east of Colombo, it is the centre of a long-established industry of precious stone mining including rubies, sapphires, and other gems. Apart from gem mining, the town is known for rice and fruit cultivations.
Sigiriya: Sigiriya (Lion's rock) is an ancient rock fortress and castle/palace ruin situated in the central Matale District of Sri Lanka, surrounded by the remains of an extensive network of gardens, reservoirs, and other structures. It is a popular tourist destination, also known for its ancient paintings (frescos), very similar to those in the Ajanta Caves of India. The Sigiraya was built during the reign of King Kassapa I (AD 477 – 495), and it is one of the seven World Heritage Sites of Sri Lanka.
Sinharaja: Sinharaja Forest Reserve is a national park in Sri Lanka. It is of international significance and has been designated a Biosphere Reserve. The Sinharaja (Lion King) Rain Forest is a world heritage site and is arguably the most important site in Sri-Lanka and is internationally important for its biodiversity. With its unique and rich ecosystem, Sinharaja is one of the best places to see wildlife and isolate yourself from the world.
Trincomalee: Trincomalee is a port city on the east coast of Sri Lanka, about 110 miles northeast of Kandy. Trincomalee is a historic port city on the northeast coast of Sri Lanka, renowned for its large natural harbor, tranquil beaches like Uppuveli and Nilaveli, and significant cultural sites such as Fort Frederick and the Koneswaram Temple. The area is a popular tourist destination for activities like whale watching and diving at nearby Pigeon Island National Park, offering a mix of diverse marine life, ancient history, and tropical beauty.
Unawatuna: Unawatuna is a beach resort, located on the southern coast of Sri Lanka. Unawatuna is a popular tourist destination in Sri Lanka, known for its picturesque beach and vibrant atmosphere. Described as most wonderful beach location by the nature, Unawatuna is one of the best Scuba Diving Locations in Sri Lanka. Futhermore, you can enjoy the beach, Scuba Diving, Surfing and Sea Food in Sri Lankan Style. The Jungle Beach, Roomassagla Hills, Kathaluwa Temple, Galle Fort are interesting places to visit.
Weligama: Weligama is a fishing town in Matara district on the southern coast of Sri Lanka. It is most famous for its distinct stilt fishermen and an off shore islet known as Taprobane, where a dream house of French Count de Maunay was built. Weligama Beach, located on the southern coast of Sri Lanka, is a picturesque and laid-back destination known for its golden sandy shoreline and stunning ocean views. The beach is ideal for swimming, surfing, and other water sports.
Wilpattu National Park: Wilpattu National Park is a year-round destination for wildlife safaris. The unique feature of this park is the existence of “Willus” (Natural lakes) - Natural, sand-rimmed water basins or depressions that fill with rainwater. The best time to visit Wilpattu National Park for optimal wildlife sightings is during the dry season, from February to October, as animals gather around limited water sources, increasing their visibility. The most popular time to visit is during the May to September dry season. The north eastern monsoon brings rainfall from October until December, after which the reserve is lush, green and beautiful – great clouds of butterflies are a highlight at the beginning of the year. Sloth bears love feasting on the intoxicating fruits of the palu trees in season between May and July, and therefore sightings are optimal at this time. The best wildlife sightings are early morning and evening, so be prepared to wake up early.
Yala National Park: Yala was designated as a wildlife sanctuary in 1900, along with Wilpattu, designated in 1938, as the first two designated national parks in Sri Lanka. Much of the reserve is parkland, but it also contains jungle, beaches, freshwater lakes and rivers and scrubland. The park is best known for its variety of wildlife and is important conservation of Sri Lankan elephants, Sri Lankan leopards and including a wider range of birds. However, an afternoon safari can also be successful, particularly during the dry season, as animals move toward watering holes and cooler spots before dusk. The "best" time depends on the season and your personal preference, with many choosing a full-day safari to maximize wildlife viewing opportunities
Mirissa: Mirissa, on the south coast of Sri Lanka, is the best place to go whale watching from December to April. It is located in the Matara District of the Southern Province. It is situated about 150 kilometers south of Colombo at an elevation of 4 meters above sea level. The beach and nightlife of Mirissa make it a popular tourist destination.
Lighthouse:* The Sri Lanka Ports Authority is in charge of running and maintaining the Galle Lighthouse, also called Pointe de Galle Light, which is an onshore lighthouse located in Galle, Sri Lanka. It is the oldest light station in Sri Lanka.
Udawalawa: Known for its large number of wild Asian elephants, Udawalawe National Park is a major national park in Sri Lanka, and the town serves as the primary entry point. Around 160 kilometers (99 miles) from Colombo, the Udawalawe National Park is the nearest national park.
Wasgomuwa: By road, Wasgamuwa is roughly 225 kilometers (140 miles) from Colombo, making the trip take four to five hours. The route and traffic conditions can affect the precise travel time. The animals are far more erratic. Mammals that live in this national park include the black-naped hare, sambar, sloth bear, golden jackal, wild boar, wild buffalo, rusty-spotted cat, fishing cat, and leopard.
Kaudulla: Located in the Polonnaruwa district of Sri Lanka's north central province, Kaudulla National Park is 190 kilometers away from Colombo. In addition to giving the elephants more space in the wild, Kaudulla National Park opened in 2002 and connected to the elephant corridor that runs south between Minneriya and Wasgomuwa National Parks. Somawathiya National Park is also connected to the east by Kaudulla.
Galoya: Walking safaris and jeep safaris are also offered in addition to boat safaris. It's also one of the best places in Sri Lanka to see the Veddas, the native population. Additionally, Gal Oya is the ideal option for those who wish to explore less traveled routes. There are 225 kilometers separating Galoya and Colombo. (via Trincomalee, Kurunegala, and Ambepussa; 4h 22m).
Angammedilla: One of Sri Lanka's more recent national parks is Angammedilla National Park. At first, Angammedilla was part of the Minneriya-Girithale forest reserve. The park was established primarily to safeguard Parakrama Samudra's drainage basin. Additionally, Angammedilla protects the water sources in Sudu Kanda (Sinhala for "White Hill"), the drainage basins of the Minneriya and Girithale irrigation tanks, as well as the wildlife and habitats of the nearby forests. It is situated in the Polonnaruwa District, 225 kilometers from Colombo.
Galways Land: Within the boundaries of Nuwara Eliya, Sri Lanka, lies Galway's Land National Park, a small national park. Two of the most important birding locations in Sri Lanka, according to the Field Ornithology Group of Sri Lanka, are Galway's Land and the Victoria Park of Nuwara Eliya. Galway's Land is home to roughly 30 native bird species and 20 rare migratory bird species. The park boasts valuable floral species of both native and foreign origin in addition to its avifauna.
Lahugala: Lahugala is a small town in the Ampara District of Sri Lanka's Eastern Province. Pothuvil town is located on the main road between Colombo and Baticaloa, approximately 14 kilometers (8.7 miles) away. Since the Anuradhapura era, people have lived in Sri Lanka's Lahugala region, which was a part of the Kingdom of Ruhuna. One of Sri Lanka's most important elephant habitats is Lahugala Kitulana National Park.
Pigeon Island: Enjoy the serene turquoise waters and shimmering coral gardens while strolling along the white sands of Pigeon Island, a little-known gem off the east coast of Sri Lanka. Just one kilometer from Nilaveli, this marine national park is a veritable gold mine of natural wonders. The island's stunning sandy strip, encircled by lush hills, welcomes visitors. Under its waters is a beautiful coral reef that is home to hundreds of reef fish and colorful corals such as Faviddae and Mussidae.
Sevana Eth Athuru: Neither the ETH's website nor public booking websites provide the official price for the Elephant Transit Home (ETH) in Udawalawe. There is no publicly stated admission fee, and entry is frequently covered as part of a larger safari or tour package, even though you can watch the elephants being fed three times a day at specific times. It takes roughly 4.5 hours to travel from Colombo to the Udawalawe Elephant Transit Home (Eth Athuru Sevana), though some sources put the time closer to 3 hours and 17 minutes. Traffic and the precise location in Colombo from which you are leaving can affect the travel time.
Kalawewa: In addition to being a national park with a significant tusker population, Kalawewa is well-known for its ancient engineering wonder, the Kala Wewa reservoir, which was constructed by King Dhatusena in the fifth century. The park was created in 2015 and is a popular destination for people interested in history, engineering, and nature. It is also a wonderful place to see wildlife, especially its large herds of elephants. Kalawewa is 3 hours, 51 minutes (183 km) away from Colombo.
Girithale: The small Sri Lankan city of Giritale is located in the Polonnaruwa District. Elephant and buffalo herds are known to call the nearby bush forests and the Minneriya-Giritale Sanctuary home, and they are also home to various birds. The area's natural beauty and proximity to Polonnaruwa, Sri Lanka's historic capital, make it a popular tourist destination. It is located on the main road that leads to Batticaloa and Polonnaruwa from Colombo. In neighboring villages, tourists can take in the warmth of Sri Lankan hospitality, learn about local crafts, and experience traditional rural life.

* Of Sri Lanka's twenty-five lighthouses, sixteen are still operational. The Sri Lanka Navy is in charge of the remaining lighthouses, while the Sri Lanka Ports Authority oversees the majority of them.

7. The Expected Amount of Visitors by the End of 2025

The following table lists Sri Lanka's tourism-related economic indicators for 2019–2024 and includes projections for 2025: Tourist arrivals from 01st to 28th September 2025(Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority).

Table 8. Arrivals of Tourists in 2019–2024, with Estimates for 2025.

Month	Number of tourists (2024)	Number of tourists (2025)	Percentage change (25/24)	Forecast (Percentage change)	Number of tourists (2025- Forecast)
January	208,253	252,761	21.4	-	-
February	218,350	240,217	10	-	-
March	209,181	229,298	9.6	-	-
April	148,867	174,608	17.3	-	-
May	112,128	132,919	18.5	-	-
June	113,470	138,241	21.8	-	-
July	187,810	200,244	6.6	-	-
August	164,609	198,235	20.4	-	-
September	122,140	148,673	21.7	-	-
October	135,910	-	-	19.68721	162,663
November	184,159	-	-	20.1776	221,317
December	248,592	-	-	20.6679	299,971

As shown in Figure 1, expected the period of October to December a growth in tourist arrivals in Sri Lanka find the using some software.

Download: Download full-size image

Figure 1. Expected the period of October to December a Growth in Tourist Arrivals.

This is expected to increase by 21.7% in September of 2024 and 2025 and then by 19.68% in October, 20.17% in November, and 20.66% in December of the same year. 2,399,147 visitors are anticipated in 2025.

8. Discussion

The applications of mathematical programming to transportation, assignments, networking systems, relevant modeling, graph theory, fuzzy sets, and other areas are my primary areas of interest. I applied my research in a variety of fields, and my new idea touched the transportation in tourism development. Due to both its direct and significant indirect and induced economic effects, tourism is regarded as a major global economic activity. The tourism sector in Sri Lanka has experienced an unparalleled expansion over the last five years, making it the country's third-largest export earner. However, Sri Lanka's tourism sector has a lot more unrealized potential and is well-positioned to provide significant growth and investment opportunities. I want to use a mathematical model to connect all of Sri Lanka's tourist attractions.

9. Conclusions

By 2024 and 2025, this is anticipated to change by 21.7% in September and to continue growing by 19.68% in October, 20.17% in November, and 20.66% in December. In 2025, 2,399,147 tourists are expected to visit. Sri Lankan tourism is flourishing, and the government is putting its national tourism development strategy into action as a key factor in the country's economic expansion. But when it comes to growing the tourism sector, the nation is up against several obstacles. In order to serve the 2.5 million tourists that my research projects will visit Sri Lanka by 2025, the country's tourism sector will require more than 55,000 hotel rooms. Strong growth in 2024 arrivals and earnings indicate that Sri Lanka's tourism industry is in a significant recovery phase following the economic crisis and pandemic. In the future, there will be a deliberate emphasis on sustainable tourism, promoting a variety of experiences that are anchored in the island's culture and environment, as well as improving infrastructure and visitor experiences through digitalization. In order to restore traveler confidence and reach its target of drawing 3 million tourists a year by surpassing pre-pandemic levels, the government is also placing a high priority on safety and security. The basic situation in Sri Lankan tourism is identified in this research, and the next step is to develop a mathematical model that finds the shortest path and the minimum spanning tree link between all of the destination locations in Sri Lanka.

Abbreviations

SLTDA	Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority
GDP	Gross Domestic Product

Acknowledgments

The authors thank Mr. Misaj Mohomad, the head of the physical sciences department at Rajarata University in Sri Lanka. His advice and resources will be beneficial to me. Finish this document. Finally, I would like to thank my wife, daughters, and son for their help and consolation during this time.

Author Contributions

Emusb Ekanayake: Conceptualization, Data curation, Formal Analysis, Investigation, Methodology, Project administration, Resources, Software, Supervision, Validation, Visualization, Writing – original draft, Writing – review & editing

Conflicts of Interest

The author declares no conflicts of interest.

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Ekanayake, E. (2026). Analyse Sri Lanka's Visiting the Attractions Industry and Providing Key Economic Data for the Nation Between 2019 and 2024, as Well as Forecasts for 2025. International Journal of Economy, Energy and Environment, 11(3), 59-73. https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ijeee.20261103.12

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Ekanayake, E. Analyse Sri Lanka's Visiting the Attractions Industry and Providing Key Economic Data for the Nation Between 2019 and 2024, as Well as Forecasts for 2025. Int. J. Econ. Energy Environ. 2026, 11(3), 59-73. doi: 10.11648/j.ijeee.20261103.12

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AMA Style

Ekanayake E. Analyse Sri Lanka's Visiting the Attractions Industry and Providing Key Economic Data for the Nation Between 2019 and 2024, as Well as Forecasts for 2025. Int J Econ Energy Environ. 2026;11(3):59-73. doi: 10.11648/j.ijeee.20261103.12

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@article{10.11648/j.ijeee.20261103.12,
  author = {Emusb Ekanayake},
  title = {Analyse Sri Lanka's Visiting the Attractions Industry and Providing Key Economic Data for the Nation Between 2019 and 2024, as Well as Forecasts for 2025},
  journal = {International Journal of Economy, Energy and Environment},
  volume = {11},
  number = {3},
  pages = {59-73},
  doi = {10.11648/j.ijeee.20261103.12},
  url = {https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ijeee.20261103.12},
  eprint = {https://article.sciencepublishinggroup.com/pdf/10.11648.j.ijeee.20261103.12},
  abstract = {With forecasts for 2025, this comprehensive analysis report looks at Sri Lanka's hospitality industry from 2019 to 2024. The report provides an overview of market trends, opportunities, challenges, and key industry segments. Government programs, rising business travel, and tourism have all contributed to Sri Lanka's hospitality sector's recent notable expansion. The sector is anticipated to directly contribute billions of dollars to the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) by 2025. Given the substantial contribution of tourism to Sri Lanka's GDP and employment, it is susceptible to various crises, necessitating accurate forecasting of visitor arrivals. The study's main contributions are the identification of Sri Lankan tourist destinations and the provision of insightful and creative viewpoints on them. According to this study, foreign visitors are expected to generate over $100 billion in revenue in the future. In order to improve sustainability, the industry is also putting policies like renewable energy, green building standards, and energy efficiency into place. Additionally, domestic travel is significant; over a million domestic trips are anticipated in the future. Finally, a greater proportion of people are expected to travel online in the future, indicating that the market for online travel will continue to grow. This research predicts data for the nation between 2019 and 2024, as well as forecasts for 2025 using Excel software and gives Sri Lankan destinations and detailed information on hotels and other rooms. This one is very important for indoor/outdoor, local, and foreign tourists. Finally, the finding validates the need for government involvement in promoting and increasing international tourism demand to attain sustainable growth and development in the industry.},
 year = {2026}
}

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TY - JOUR
T1 - Analyse Sri Lanka's Visiting the Attractions Industry and Providing Key Economic Data for the Nation Between 2019 and 2024, as Well as Forecasts for 2025
AU - Emusb Ekanayake
Y1 - 2026/06/04
PY - 2026
N1 - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ijeee.20261103.12
DO - 10.11648/j.ijeee.20261103.12
T2 - International Journal of Economy, Energy and Environment
JF - International Journal of Economy, Energy and Environment
JO - International Journal of Economy, Energy and Environment
SP - 59
EP - 73
PB - Science Publishing Group
SN - 2575-5021
UR - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ijeee.20261103.12
AB - With forecasts for 2025, this comprehensive analysis report looks at Sri Lanka's hospitality industry from 2019 to 2024. The report provides an overview of market trends, opportunities, challenges, and key industry segments. Government programs, rising business travel, and tourism have all contributed to Sri Lanka's hospitality sector's recent notable expansion. The sector is anticipated to directly contribute billions of dollars to the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) by 2025. Given the substantial contribution of tourism to Sri Lanka's GDP and employment, it is susceptible to various crises, necessitating accurate forecasting of visitor arrivals. The study's main contributions are the identification of Sri Lankan tourist destinations and the provision of insightful and creative viewpoints on them. According to this study, foreign visitors are expected to generate over $100 billion in revenue in the future. In order to improve sustainability, the industry is also putting policies like renewable energy, green building standards, and energy efficiency into place. Additionally, domestic travel is significant; over a million domestic trips are anticipated in the future. Finally, a greater proportion of people are expected to travel online in the future, indicating that the market for online travel will continue to grow. This research predicts data for the nation between 2019 and 2024, as well as forecasts for 2025 using Excel software and gives Sri Lankan destinations and detailed information on hotels and other rooms. This one is very important for indoor/outdoor, local, and foreign tourists. Finally, the finding validates the need for government involvement in promoting and increasing international tourism demand to attain sustainable growth and development in the industry.
VL - 11
IS - 3
ER -

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Author Information

Emusb Ekanayake

Department of Physical Sciences, Rajarata University of Sri Lanka, Mihinthale, Sri Lanka

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http://orcid.org/0000-0001-8483-718X

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Figure 1

Figure 1. Expected the period of October to December a Growth in Tourist Arrivals.

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APA Style

Ekanayake, E. (2026). Analyse Sri Lanka's Visiting the Attractions Industry and Providing Key Economic Data for the Nation Between 2019 and 2024, as Well as Forecasts for 2025. International Journal of Economy, Energy and Environment, 11(3), 59-73. https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ijeee.20261103.12

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ACS Style

Ekanayake, E. Analyse Sri Lanka's Visiting the Attractions Industry and Providing Key Economic Data for the Nation Between 2019 and 2024, as Well as Forecasts for 2025. Int. J. Econ. Energy Environ. 2026, 11(3), 59-73. doi: 10.11648/j.ijeee.20261103.12

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AMA Style

Ekanayake E. Analyse Sri Lanka's Visiting the Attractions Industry and Providing Key Economic Data for the Nation Between 2019 and 2024, as Well as Forecasts for 2025. Int J Econ Energy Environ. 2026;11(3):59-73. doi: 10.11648/j.ijeee.20261103.12

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@article{10.11648/j.ijeee.20261103.12,
  author = {Emusb Ekanayake},
  title = {Analyse Sri Lanka's Visiting the Attractions Industry and Providing Key Economic Data for the Nation Between 2019 and 2024, as Well as Forecasts for 2025},
  journal = {International Journal of Economy, Energy and Environment},
  volume = {11},
  number = {3},
  pages = {59-73},
  doi = {10.11648/j.ijeee.20261103.12},
  url = {https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ijeee.20261103.12},
  eprint = {https://article.sciencepublishinggroup.com/pdf/10.11648.j.ijeee.20261103.12},
  abstract = {With forecasts for 2025, this comprehensive analysis report looks at Sri Lanka's hospitality industry from 2019 to 2024. The report provides an overview of market trends, opportunities, challenges, and key industry segments. Government programs, rising business travel, and tourism have all contributed to Sri Lanka's hospitality sector's recent notable expansion. The sector is anticipated to directly contribute billions of dollars to the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) by 2025. Given the substantial contribution of tourism to Sri Lanka's GDP and employment, it is susceptible to various crises, necessitating accurate forecasting of visitor arrivals. The study's main contributions are the identification of Sri Lankan tourist destinations and the provision of insightful and creative viewpoints on them. According to this study, foreign visitors are expected to generate over $100 billion in revenue in the future. In order to improve sustainability, the industry is also putting policies like renewable energy, green building standards, and energy efficiency into place. Additionally, domestic travel is significant; over a million domestic trips are anticipated in the future. Finally, a greater proportion of people are expected to travel online in the future, indicating that the market for online travel will continue to grow. This research predicts data for the nation between 2019 and 2024, as well as forecasts for 2025 using Excel software and gives Sri Lankan destinations and detailed information on hotels and other rooms. This one is very important for indoor/outdoor, local, and foreign tourists. Finally, the finding validates the need for government involvement in promoting and increasing international tourism demand to attain sustainable growth and development in the industry.},
 year = {2026}
}

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