In the twelfth century, the explorer Marco Polo wrote that Sri Lanka was the finest island in the whole world. For centuries it had been a tourism destination, particularly for European travelers. Recently, the Sri Lankan Civil War that spanned over 25 years and ended in 2009 has had a negative impact on tourism and the growth of the industry stagnated, however following this era a resurgence in Sri Lanka as a tourist destination has been evident. In 2012, post office worldwide holiday costs barometer named Sri Lanka as the best valued destination for holidays.Tourist arrivals to Sri Lanka exceeded 1.5 million in 2014.
Most visitors arriving to Sri Lanka on short term basis in 2013 were from the following countries of nationality:
| Rank | Country | Number |
|---|---|---|
| 1 |  India |
229,674 |
| 2 |  United Kingdom |
135,425 |
| 3 |  Germany |
91,150 |
| 4 |  France |
62,771 |
| 5 |  Australia |
62,242 |
| 6 |  China |
51,704 |
| 7 |  Russia |
47,265 |
| 8 |  United States |
39,621 |
| 9 |  Japan |
33,506 |
| 10 |  Canada |
30,382 |