Sri Lanka is setting its sights on welcoming 500,000 Indian tourists in 2025. The focus is on pushing into wedding destinations and the meetings, incentives, conferences, and exhibitions (MICE) market. This strategy is designed to boost foreign exchange earnings and strengthen the country’s post-crisis recovery. Buddhika Hewawasam, chairman of the Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority, shared these insights.
Rising Indian Market Share
India remains Sri Lanka’s largest source of visitors, making up more than 20 percent of arrivals in the first eight months of 2025. Last year alone, over 416,000 Indian travelers visited the island. The 2025 target represents a 20 percent increase.
Focus on Weddings and MICE Tourism
To attract higher-spending visitors, Sri Lanka is promoting itself as a prime wedding and MICE destination. The government aims to raise daily tourist spending from $170 to $180 this year. Officials are conducting multi-city roadshows across India for the first time. The focus is on highlighting the nation’s free visas, cultural ties, budget appeal, and easy connectivity.
Sri Lanka Tourism will also support travel agents by offering venue sourcing, coordination with local event planners, and tailored packages for the wedding tourism market. This segment, they believe, can generate significant revenue. It will also showcase the island as a premium event hub.
Broader Economic Recovery Strategy
Tourism plays a crucial role in Sri Lanka’s plan to revive its economy after the 2022 debt crisis. Following 2.05 million arrivals in 2024, the government is targeting 2.6 million foreign visitors in 2025. Tourism receipts, along with worker remittances, remain vital sources of foreign exchange.
In addition, new attractions are bolstering growth. The recent full opening of City of Dreams Sri Lanka is expected to draw affluent Indian tourists, particularly with its casino and luxury amenities. The government hopes to lift industry revenues to $5 billion in 2025, up from $3.7 billion last year. They aim to eventually push tourism’s GDP share to 10 percent.
