Sri Lanka, Nov. 3 -- Sri Lanka recorded its highest-ever monthly tourist arrivals in October, welcoming 168,625 visitors as demand strengthened ahead of the winter season, although the increase in visitor numbers is yet to translate into higher tourism earnings.

October arrivals surpassed the previous monthly record of 165,193 set in 2025, marking a 2.08% year-on-year increase, according to the latest figures released by the Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority.

The performance lifted cumulative arrivals during the first 10 months of 2026 to over 1.86 million, although the total remained 1.5% below the corresponding period last year.

The October recovery is particularly significant given the disruption to international travel caused...