Provisional data released by the Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority (SLTDA) showed that for the 31 days of October, tourist arrivals totaled 109,998, significantly down from an arrival target of 147,789.

October arrivals are also lower than that achieved in September, despite the SLTDA having projected higher numbers.

While SLTDA and the Ministry of Tourism maintain their confidence in Sri Lanka exceeding the 1.55 million arrivals target by the end of 2023, analysts have recently voiced differing opinions.

For the first 10 months of the year ending October 31, Sri Lanka has drawn a total of 1,125,455 international visitors, realising 72 percent of the yearly target. Sri Lanka would have to bring in at least 212,272 tourists in the next two months.