A delegation of veteran travel media journalists from the most renowned British Guild of Travel Writers (BGTW) Association in the UK arrived in Sri Lanka, making a landmark first visit to the country.
The group, comprising more than 30 veteran UK-based travel journalists and media professionals, will commence a week-long expedition to the island’s diverse attractions. The group was warmly welcomed by the officials of Sri Lankan Tourism upon arrival at BIA.
The visit, organised and hosted by the Sri Lanka Tourism Promotion Bureau (SLTPB), forms part of a broader strategy to boost Sri Lanka’s visibility in the high-potential UK travel market. SLTPB is confident that this initiative will certainly attract the focus of UK travellers on Sri Lanka, including the key travel partners in the UK. The United Kingdom is a significant source of tourists for Sri Lanka, ranking among the top source countries. In the first four months of 2025, the UK was the third-largest source of tourists, with 81,130 visitors. In April 2025, the UK even temporarily overtook Russia as the second-largest source market. While India remains the top source market, the UK contributes a notable portion of Sri Lanka’s total tourist arrivals.
• Key Source Market:
The UK consistently appears in the top five source markets for Sri Lanka, indicating its importance in the country’s tourism industry.
• High Arrival Numbers:
Data shows that the UK has contributed a substantial number of tourist arrivals to Sri Lanka, often exceeding those from Russia in specific months.
• Growth Trends:
While some reports indicate a decrease in arrivals from the UK compared to previous periods, others highlight the continued growth of the UK market in the first quarter of 2025.
• British tourists -reasons for Visit:
A significant portion of British tourists visit Sri Lanka for leisure and pleasure, while others travel to reconnect with friends and relatives.
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In the first four months of 2025, the UK was the third-largest source of tourists, with 81,130 visitors. In April 2025, the UK even temporarily overtook Russia as the second-largest source market.
