Cricket fever boosts tourism in Colombo as India-Pakistan clash draws thousands

COLOMBO: Flight and hotel prices in Colombo, Sri Lanka, have surged as thousands of cricket fans arrive to watch India take on Pakistan in Sunday’s Twenty20 World Cup match.

The two arch-rivals will face off during the group stage of the tournament, co-hosted by India and Sri Lanka, after Pakistan reversed an earlier decision to boycott the game.

The sold-out fixture at Sri Lanka’s largest stadium has around 35,000 tickets booked. In response, many Colombo hotels have doubled their room rates, with nightly prices climbing as high as $660, compared to the usual $100-$150 per night, according to several booking websites.

Last-minute bookings have also filled flights from major Indian cities. Travel agents report that flights from Chennai, roughly an hour and a half away, have more than tripled to $623-$756, while fares from Delhi have increased over 50 per cent to about $666.

Nalin Jayasundera, President of the Sri Lanka Inbound Tour Operators Association (SLAITO), said most fans are arriving on all-inclusive packages costing $1,500-$2,000 or more, depending on ticket, hotel, and flight costs.

Tourism is Sri Lanka’s third-largest source of foreign exchange, with the country known for its ancient temples, pristine beaches, and lush tea plantations. Officials hope that hosting high-profile sporting events will help boost the nation’s economic recovery following a severe financial crisis and a recent cyclone that killed 650 people.

Buddhika Hewawasam, chairman of the Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority, told HUM News that roughly 20 per cent of the 100,000 visitors in the first ten days of February came specifically for the India-Pakistan cricket match.

“This shows confidence in Sri Lanka as a neutral cricket venue. Whether it’s India, Pakistan, or Bangladesh, this sends a welcome message to South Asian countries that they can host matches here,” Hewawasam said.

Fans are equally enthusiastic. Lahore resident Mian Sultan, who spent $800 on a front-row ticket, said he was “really excited” to watch the game alongside a friend flying in from New Zealand.

“I think it’s going to be a great experience,” he said, adding that he believes Pakistan “absolutely” has a chance to win on Sunday.

The match not only promises cricketing drama but also a major economic windfall for Sri Lanka’s tourism sector, highlighting the growing appeal of the island as a host for international sporting events.