Sri Lanka, June 22 -- Sri Lanka's tourism sector staged a robust recovery following a turbulent start to the year, outperforming global and regional competitors in May arrivals. Tourism arrivals in May expanded by nearly 10% year-on-year, adding over 10,000 more visitors compared to May 2025. This swift bounce back after Middle East crisis disruptions marks one of the strongest recoveries globally, outstepping regional rivals.

While Sri Lanka secured a 10% increase, the global expansion hovered around just 3%. Tourism revenue remained steady or improved, with individual tourist spending rising from $148 to $153. Although geopolitical tensions caused contractions in March and April, the island nation corrected course much faster than othe...