During the first 28 days, the country received a total of 102,669 tourists, pushing the cumulative number to 887,320.

With a daily average of 3,667 arrivals, industry analysts projected that the month could end with around 898,321 visitors or potentially surpass the 900,000 mark due to a surge in arrivals by air and sea. In May 2023, the daily average of arrivals was at 2,687.

Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority (SLTDA) Chairman Priantha Fernando on Wednesday, expressed confidence that the country would exceed the 900,000 arrivals milestone by the end of May.

Although May 2024 saw an increase from 83,309 visitors in May 2023, the numbers still fell short of the monthly target of 131,112 and the 2018 benchmark figure of 129,446.