Sri Lanka’s tourism sector has recorded double-digit growth in the opening weeks of 2026, with the increase attributed to momentum generated by the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup matches hosted in the country.
According to official statistics from the Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority, tourist arrivals during the first 45 days of 2026 reached 401,787, marking a 12.5% year-on-year increase.
In February, the first 12 days alone accounted for 124,460 arrivals, a 19% rise compared with the same period last year. The daily average during that period was 10,372 visitors, a statement from Sri Lanka Tourism said.
Officials said the increase was driven in part by sports tourism, with cricket fans arriving from India, the United Kingdom, Australia, Russia, Germany, China and the United States.
Host cities Colombo and Kandy reported full occupancy in city hotels during match days, with additional demand extending to Mount Lavinia and Negombo.
Sri Lanka Tourism also reported steady average daily guest expenditure, with increased demand for accommodation, transport and leisure activities during the tournament period.
Visitors during the World Cup period also recorded longer average stays compared with seasonal norms. The sector is on track to exceed early-year revenue projections, supported by higher per-guest spending and extended stays.
Tourism officials said digital campaigns are ongoing to promote Sri Lanka’s leisure, cultural and experiential offerings beyond cricket, amid efforts to address lower average individual spending patterns.
The Sri Lanka Institute of Tourism and Hotel Management has expanded training and capacity-building programs in response to increased visitor volumes. New modules in event hospitality, sports tourism management and digital marketing were introduced to strengthen service standards.
Meanwhile, the Sri Lanka Convention Bureau has launched promotional campaigns to position Sri Lanka as a destination for Meetings, Incentives, Conferences and Exhibitions (MICE) tourism. Officials said several international events are in the pipeline as part of efforts to diversify tourism revenue streams.
The Ministry of Tourism, together with the Sri Lanka Tourism Promotion Bureau and affiliated institutions, said it plans to leverage the current momentum to sustain growth throughout 2026, building on global visibility generated by the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup.
(Source: Newswire)
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