"I will introduce an accelerated development programme for the tourism industry. I will launch a programme to fulfil the infrastructure and other requirements in order to attract 2.5 million tourists annually, by the year 2016"

- ‘Mahinda Chintana’: Vision for the Future

In keeping with this pledge, the Government has done much in the past five years to boost the tourism industry. The Government identified tourism as a fast emerging potential growth sector in the economy in terms of foreign exchange earnings, employment creation, infrastructure development and regional development.

Sri Lanka is now fast becoming one of the most popular tourist destinations in the world.

Sri Lanka ranking high

Sri Lanka has been ranked as the number one tourist destination by the 'New York Times' in its list of "31 Places to Go in 2010".

"The conflict finally ended last May, ushering in a more peaceful era for this teardrop-shaped island off India’s coast, rich in natural beauty and cultural splendours," states the New York Times on January 10.

NY Times has also hailed tourist locations in the North and East as attractive tourist areas with stylish resorts, boutique hotels and guest houses to cater to the needs of tourists.

Just days after 'The New York Times' chose Sri Lanka as the world’s No. 1 place to go in 2010, a leading lifestyle web resource, Daily Candy, weighed in with a similarly enthusiastic travel recommendation, praising Sri Lanka as “the best place” that the Daily Candy writers had ever been.

The National Geographic Adventure too ranked Sri Lanka as the Second Best New Trips for 2010, accrediting the country as the "Wonder of the World."

CNN Go in a report published on September 1 stated that Sri Lanka is a terrific spot for those in search of some sub-continental wildlife, cuisine and a welcoming culture with the end to 25 years of conflict and the devastating tsunami.

The German-language Yahoo! Travel Magazine also stated that Sri Lanka is among the top 10 most affordable destinations in the world.

The UK's Independent newspaper in a report published on October 19 stated that post-conflict Sri Lanka is preparing for a rapid growth in tourism numbers over the coming five years as the local industry gets back on its feet - and international visitors once again have faith in the security situation in the island nation.

A veteran Hollywood film location scout who recently spent two weeks touring Sri Lanka said the country will remain a top location for film makers.

'The extent of its future success largely depends on promotion and ease of production in Sri Lanka,' stated former Warner Bros. worldwide locations executive Bill Bowling.

Tourist arrivals

The end of a nearly 30 year war against terrorism and the restoration of peace has made Sri Lanka a much sought-after tourist destination.

Tourist arrivals to Sri Lanka increased by 48.4% during the first half of 2010 (January-June), with a total of 278,652 arrivals to the country in comparison to 187,729 arrivals during the same period last year (2009).

Sri Lanka's tourist arrivals jumped by 24.6 percent in September also compared to a year earlier, boosted by the end of the war against terrorism. In August, arrivals rose 35.7% compared to the same period last year.

 

Month	2009	2010	% Cha. 2009/10
January	38,468	50,757	31.9
February	34,169	57,300	67.7
March	34,065	52,352	53.7
April	26,054	38,300	47.0
May	24,739	35,213	42.3
June	30,234	44,730	47.9
July	42,223	63,339	50.0
August	41,207	55,898	35.7
September	37,983	47,339	24.6
October	37,575	52,370	39.4
November	44,311
December	56,862
Total	447,890
Up to Oct	346,717	497,598	43.5

(Source: Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority)

Travel restrictions lifted

The U.S. State Department on 26 May lifted its travel advisory on Sri Lanka, citing the peaceful atmosphere that has taken hold a year after Sri Lanka’s defeat of terrorism.

“The Travel Warning issued for Sri Lanka on November 19, 2009 has been cancelled, effective May 26, 2010,” the State Department said in an announcement.

“Department of State has cancelled the Travel Warning for Sri Lanka due to improvements in safety and security conditions throughout the country,” the announcement further stated.

The United Kingdom lifted all travel restrictions to Sri Lanka on 29 July subsequent to the British High Commissioner to Sri Lanka, Dr. Peter Hayes's official tour to Mannar district.

The Government of Japan too relaxed the Travel Advice & Warning with regard to the Northern Province, based upon the information provided by the Embassy of Japan in Sri Lanka.

Germany also has relaxed travel advisories to German nationals visiting Sri Lanka.
The German Embassy said that a long standing travel advisory had been eased enabling German tourists to visit Yala National Park and Arugam Bay.
 

"The Island of Sri Lanka is a small universe; it contains as many variations of culture, scenery, and climate as some countries a dozen times its size . . . I find it hard to believe that there is any country which scores so highly in all departments - which has so many advantages and so few disadvantages. Lovely beaches, beautiful landscapes, impressive ruins, a vibrant culture and charming people." Sir Arthur C Clarke

Sri Lanka to promote nature tourism

Sri Lanka Tourism announced a new campaign at the World Travel Market 2010 in London which focus on eight key products, with wildlife to be heavily promoted for the first time.

The first seven promote Sri Lanka's heritage, beaches, sports and adventure, wellness, scenery, friendly people and festival tourism.

This year Sri Lanka Tourism celebrated World Tourism Day (WTD) under the theme “Tourism and Biodiversity”.

The theme provided a unique opportunity to raise public awareness of the importance of biodiversity to tourism and the role of sustainable tourism in the conservation of life.
The theme ‘Tourism and Biodiversity’ is particularly pertinent in 2010 as the United Nations General Assembly, concerned by the continued loss of biological diversity, declared 2010 the International Year of Biodiversity. The year coincides with the target adopted by governments in 2002, to achieve a significant reduction in the rate of biodiversity loss by 2010.

Projects

Kalpitiya Tourist Resort project aims to develop Kalpitiya and its environs as a Tourism Zone. The Dutch Bay, Portugal Bay and the more attractive Islands such as Karaitivu, Ippantivu and Periyarachchi with a total land extent of 4,132 acres will be developed under the proposed project.

Tourism Development in Eastern Province

After nearly three decades of oppression due to LTTE terrorism, the Eastern Province was liberated with the Mavil-Aru humanitarian operation, bringing new hope for lasting peace and prosperity to the region.

The Eastern Province is endowed with a 420 km coastline world renowned for its wide sandy beaches and warm shallow sea water. Kokilai to Arugam Bay coastline is famous for its scenic beauty and has long been established for surfing, the world's 13th best surfing location.

Pottuvil offers what has been described as “every surfer's dream of a tropical wave”. Nilaweli is another famous place for water sports enthusiasts and Pasikudah offers wide sandy beaches while Kalkudah is identified as excellent tourist destination.

The Government is developing a Picnic Area in Nilaveli and Pasikudah at a cost of Rs.3 million. A museum has been constructed in Seruwawila at a cost of Rs.8 million and China Bay Airport Terminal is also being constructed at a cost of Rs.1 million.

In the Trincomalee district, an area of approximately 500 acres has been identified for tourism development purposes. The village of Kuchchaveli, situated in the North of the popular Nilaveli beach.

The "Narambamu Sri Lanka" (Discover Sri Lanka) initiative was launched in September 2008 as a means of promoting domestic tourism by creating awareness for lesser known attractions and forgotten folklore.

Cultural Show in Colombo

To promote Sri Lankan culture among tourists Sri Lanka Tourism is having a cultural show on every Friday at the Auditorium of Hotel School from 5.30 p.m to 06.30 p.m.

The year 2011 is declared as "Visit Sri Lanka Year". The launch of this new campaign comes when the entire island is open for tourists, to discover and enjoy the marvels of history, diversities of culture, and friendship and tolerance of Sri Lankan people. This new direction of Sri Lanka tourism will position Sri Lanka as a premier tourist destination of Asia and the world.


 

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