According to the latest figures from the Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority (SLTDA), a total of 19,915 Indians visited the island nation in April 2023, accounting for 19 percent of all tourist arrivals. They are followed by Russians (14%) and tourists from the UK (8%), according to PTI.
Over the past 3 years, Sri Lanka has struggled to open up to tourism, first due to post-Covid travel restrictions and then the political and economic situation in the country. Before that, in 2019, visitor numbers to the island plummeted after the Easter Sunday bombings killed 270 people, including 11 Indians.
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Why do Indians choose Sri Lanka?
- The “Pearl of the Indian Ocean” with its lush green jungles, mountains, waterfalls, trails, nature and wildlife tours, tea plantations, and many sacred sites of different faiths makes Sri Lanka one of the most popular honeymoon destinations for couples, nature lovers pilgrims, pilgrims and adventure lovers.
- The country is home to 8 UNESCO World Heritage Sites and a rich and diverse heritage offering spiritual tourism experiences for Hindus and Buddhists in India and the subcontinent.
- Polonnaruwa and the ancient cities of Sigiriya, Nuwara Eliya, the Temple of the Relic (which enshrines one of the Buddha’s teeth) and the Buddhist caves in Dambulla are the top attractions for most Indians.
- The Murugan and Shiva Shakti trails offer opportunities to visit several festivals and temples for South Indian pilgrims and the Shaivite and Shakti pilgrimage sites in the east and north of the country respectively. Meditation practices perfected by Buddhist monks also form the heart of a unique spiritual experience.
- Sri Lanka’s proximity to India and its low cost of living compared to other international destinations make it an attractive option for Indians looking for an affordable holiday. Frequent daily flights from Chennai, Bangalore, Mumbai, Kochi and New Delhi are the best way to get into this island nation. Indian tourists can easily obtain a visa on arrival for a nominal fee of US$20 and stay in the country for 30 days.
- A shared love of curry, coconut and chai makes Indians feel at home in Sri Lanka. Known as one of the best black teas, Ceylon tea is known for its unparalleled flavor and taste, boldly using curry, chili and coconut curry as the main line.
- Sri Lanka offers a variety of adventure activities such as surfing, diving, snorkeling, trekking and encounters with wildlife. Indians visit Sri Lanka to take part in these exciting activities and encounter exhilarating moments.
- Sri Lanka’s picturesque landscapes, luxurious resorts and genuine hospitality make it an alluring choice for destination weddings and honeymoon celebrations. Creating lasting memories is a recent trend with many Indian couples choosing Sri Lanka as their preferred location for getting married or embarking on a romantic getaway.
Sri Lanka is heavily dependent on imports of oil, food, automobiles and engineering products, which makes it need for foreign exchange reserves, especially after the agricultural crisis, pandemic and political and economic crisis. The country will aim to boost tourism to pre-pandemic levels of 10% of GDP. Arrivals in April this year topped 100,000 for the fourth time since 2019, a welcome sign for the foreign exchange-starved country’s economy.
