The spotlight is very much on Sri Lanka’s tourism sector in 2019, after globally recognised company Lonely Planet named it as the number-one travel destination for the year. As the country embarks on a year of ambitious goals to attract more visitors, the sector is also at a critical juncture. Successful, sustainable growth will rely on a delicate rebranding of the destination’s reputation…
Countries and regions across the world have long understood the potential of the MICE segment as a vehicle to drive high-value tourism and economic development. In recent decades this has led to significant investment, with nations working to position themselves as centres for the industry, both regionally and globally, aided by greater air connectivity. At the same time, the industry has…
Sri Lanka’s promising progress with regard to free trade agreements, alongside finance reforms and ambitious growth strategies for manufacturing and ICT, look set to encourage increased foreign direct investment in 2019 – with 2018 having seen the highest levels on record. This should help offset the effects of political and economic volatility, as well at the increasing trade deficit that res
The spotlight is very much on Sri Lanka’s tourism sector in 2019, after globally recognised company Lonely Planet named it as the number-one travel destination for the year. As the country embarks on a year of ambitious goals to attract more visitors, the sector is also at a critical juncture. Successful, sustainable growth will rely on a delicate rebranding of the destination’s reputation, from…
Interview:Hiran Cooray In what ways is the country positioning itself as a luxury tourism destination? HIRAN COORAY: We have to focus on quality rather than quantity. If we only prioritise quantity, then our sector will not earn money and our natural resources will be depleted. In effect, we would only be subsidising travellers to come to enjoy the country and there would be no long-term benefits…
Sri Lanka has long been known as a beach destination, but the island offers considerably more, and industry leaders are encouraging the development of alternative destinations to appeal to a wide variety of interests. These include adventure and experiential travel and wellness tourism, as well as travel to areas that were previously off-limits to foreign visitors because of civil conflict.…
A rebranded Sri Lankan tourism industry is looking to increase visitor footfall through multi-pronged marketing efforts, while seeking to shake off concerns over recent political developments. On November 5 Sri Lanka’s Tourism Promotion Bureau (SLTPB) launched its new “So Sri Lanka” tagline for the tourism industry. Unveiled at London’s World Travel Market 2018, the slogan aims to capture…
As Sri Lanka’s second-largest industry after textiles and garments, tourism represents an opportunity to generate revenue and create jobs. The country is fast becoming a popular destination for international travellers, as well as for expatriates returning home to visit friends and family, suggesting that Sri Lanka is in the process of moving from the margins of global tourism to becoming…
Interview:Sutheash Balasubramaniam How can the public and private sectors collaborate to better promote the country’s brand globally? SUTHEASH BALASUBRAMANIAM: National tourism policies and the sector’s strategic plan will strive towards the consolidation of tourism-related ministries and state agencies. Quality engagement of the relevant bodies can drive motivation, and working with shared…
Despite recent setbacks, including the four-month closure of Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA) in 2017 and unusual flooding in the south, Sri Lanka’s tourism sector continues to post sizeable gains. According to the Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority (SLTDA), total tourist arrivals grew by 3.2% to hit 2.1m in 2017, with 384,628 coming from India, an increase of 7.8% on 2016, 268,952…
