Sri Lanka recorded 191,704 tourist arrivals in August 2026, a 3.3 per cent decline compared with the 196,845 visitors recorded during the same month last year, according to official data.
India remained the island’s largest source market, with 47,253 arrivals, accounting for around a quarter of all visitors during the month. The United Kingdom followed with 19,588 visitors, while China recorded 12,321 arrivals.
With August arrivals included, Sri Lanka welcomed a total of 1,535,122 tourists during the first eight months of 2026.
The latest figures come after Sri Lanka revised down its tourism targets for the year. The country reduced its initial target of three million tourist arrivals to 2.7 million, while its tourism revenue target was lowered from US$5 billion to US$4.2 billion.
Tourist arrivals had also declined by 1.7 per cent year-on-year in July, with 1,343,418 visitors recorded during the January–July period, compared with 1,368,288 during the corresponding period in 2025.
Tourism earnings have also shown a decline. According to the Central Bank of Sri Lanka, tourism revenue was estimated at US$286 million in July 2026, down 10.3 per cent from the same month a year earlier.
Total tourism earnings for the first seven months of 2026 stood at approximately US$1.8 billion, representing an 11.5 per cent decline compared with the corresponding period in 2025.
ASTL Expands Fleet to Enhance the Traveler Experience
Aitken Spence Travels has strengthened its transport fleet with the addition of 10 new micro vans, as part of its continued efforts to enhance guest services and meet the evolving travel needs of visitors exploring Sri Lanka.
The keys to the new vehicles were recently handed over to the respective drivers at a simple ceremony, marking another step in the company’s efforts to strengthen its fleet and operational capabilities.
The company said the fleet expansion is supported by a team of trained professionals committed to guest safety. Drivers undergo regular training, including first-aid programmes, and receive medical check-ups twice a year to ensure their wellbeing and readiness to provide safe and reliable service.
The newly added vehicles are expected to further enhance the company’s ability to provide comfortable, reliable and safe transportation for travellers exploring Sri Lanka — from discovering lesser-known destinations to visiting some of the island’s most iconic attractions.
Sri Lanka Welcomes 191,704 Tourists in August
