Russian tourist flow to Sri Lanka increased by 116,4% in 2023

A more than two-fold increase in the number of visits by Russians to the island last year and a historical record in tourist flows were ensured by a variety of direct air transportation, convenient connecting options, as well as the activity of Russian tour operators.

According to official statistics from Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority, 1 487 303 foreigners arrived in the island in 2023 – this is an increase of 106,6% (719 978 in 2022).

In the TOP 5 key source markets of Sri Lanka, India takes the first place, as last year, with 302 844 visits in 2023 (+146,2% by 2022, market share is 20%).

Russia in 2023 is in the second place (as in 2022). But among the non-Asian entry markets of Sri Lanka, Russia ranks the first.

In 2023, 197 498 visits by Russian citizens were recorded in Sri Lanka, which is 116,4% more than in 2022 (91,272) - this is a historical record for the Russian Federation. So many Russians have never arrived on the island before. The share of Russians among all tourists in Sri Lanka in 2023 was 13%, i.e. every eighth tourist was from Russia.

Following Russia in the Sri Lankan tourism TOP-5 of 2023 are the UK (130 088 visits, an increase by 52,7% by 2022, market share is 9%), Germany (102 539 visits, +84,6%, market share is 7%) and China with 68 789 visits (+135,8%, market share is 5%).

As we can see, among non-Asian markets in the TOP-5, the dynamics of growth of tourist flows in 2023 was highest in Russia, and it also exceeds the market average figures.