ourism in Sri Lanka is growing rapidly.

For centuries, Sri Lanka has been a popular place of

attraction for foreign travelers. The Chinese traveler Fa-Hien visited Sri Lanka as early as the 410's
AD/CE, and in the twelfth century, Italian explorer Marco Polo claimed Sri Lanka to be the "best
island of its size in the world".

Tourism

Sri Lanka's capital city of Colombo was the world's fastest growing tourist city in 2015.[1]

The Samadhi statue at Polonnaruwa Gal Vihara

The government initiatives in development of tourism date back to 1937 when the Ceylon Tourist
Bureau was established.[2] However, it was closed down in September 1939 due to World War II.
After Sri Lanka's independence the promotion of tourism was again considered by re-establishing
the Ceylon Tourist Board which took over the function of the Tourist Bureau. More formal
recognition for the country's tourism sector was given with the enactment of Act No. 10 of 1966.[3]
This provided the legislation for the establishment of Ceylon Tourist Board. Since then the Ceylon
Tourist Board has functioned as the state agency, responsible for development and promotion of
the tourism sector in Sri Lanka.

In October 2007 according to Section 2 of the Tourism Act No. 38 of 2005, the Sri Lanka Tourist
Board (Act No 10 of 1966) was replaced by the Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority
(SLTDA).[4]

Currently Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority has classified Sri Lanka into several resort
regions suitable for tourism development.[5]

Colombo and Greater Colombo Resort Region: The Colombo and Greater Colombo Resort Region
spreads along the Mount Lavinia in the south to Negombo in the north. Colombo city is the main
part of the zone, and is the center for business activities, conferences and sport events in the
country. Colombo serves as both a gateway and stopover point for international tourists.

South Coast Resort Region: The south coast zone extends from Wadduwa to Tissamaharama. The
zone has been divided into two main regions. The first region extends from Wadduwa to Galle.
Coastal areas like Kalutara, Beruwala, Bentota, Dedduwa, Madu Ganga, Balapitiya, Ahungalla, and
Hikkaduwa are included in this region. The second region, extending from Galle to Tissamaharama,
includes Unawatuna, Koggala, Weligama, Mirissa, Matara, Tangalle and Hambantota areas as sub-
points of the zone.

East Coast Resort Region: The East Coast Resort Region extends from Kuchchaveli in the north to
Pottuvil in the south. The main tourism zones in this region are Arugam Bay, Pasikudah,
Trincomalee and Nilaveli.

West Coast Resort Region: The West Coast Resort Region extends along Kalpitiya, Marawila and
Waikkala areas.

High Country Resort Region: Nuwara Eliya, Bandarawela and Maskeliya are included for the High
Country Resort Region.

Ancient Cities Resort Region: This region has five world heritage sites, namely Anuradhapura,
Dambulla, Kandy, Polonnaruwa and Sigiriya. Other regions include Habarana, Giritale, Matale and
Victoria.

Other Resort Regions: This includes Yala, Udawalawa, Wasgamuwa, Pinnawala, and Ratnapura
area.

Tourist arrivals

When the government decided to develop the tourism sector as a separate sector of the country's
economy by establishing the Ceylon Tourist Bureau in 1966, there were 18,969 foreign tourist
arrivals in Sri Lanka. There was an upward trend of tourist arrivals until 1982, with the exception of
1971. Between 1976 and 1982, tourist arrivals had increased 24% per year. The tourist traffic in
1982 showed that there was a remarkable growth in number of tourists, with 407,230 arrivals.[6]
However, with the beginning of the civil war in 1983, the growth of tourist arrivals declined and
stagnated to around 300,000 - 500,000 arrivals annually.

The civil war that had lasted over 25 years was ended in 2009 as LTTE separatists were defeated by
government forces. In 2009 the tourist arrivals numbered 448,000, and in 2015, 1,798,380, showing
over 300 percent growth in six years.[7]

Most visitors arriving to Sri Lanka on a short term basis in 2018 were from the following
countries:[8][9] Rank Country 2016 2017 2018

1 India 356,729 384,628 424,887

2 China[10] 271,577 268,952 265,965

3 United Kingdom 188,159 201,879 254,176

4 Germany 133,275 130,227 156,888

5 Australia 74,496 81,281 110,928

6 France 96,440 97,282 106,449

7 Maldives 95,167 79,371 76,108

8 United States 54,254 57,479 75,308

9 Russia 58,176 59,191 65,497

10 Netherlands 41,373 51,148 57,160

Total Foreign Arrivals 2,050,832 2,116,407 2,333,796

Domestic tourism

There is a significant domestic tourist segment making excursions in Sri Lanka. In 2014 six million Sri
Lankans traveled within the country as domestic tourists.[11] The main purposes of travel by the
domestic tourists are pilgrimage, family holiday, study works, and sightseeing. The main
destinations of domestic tourists are Anuradhapura, Kataragama, Nuwara Eliya, Kandy, Sri Pada,
Polonnaruwa, Sigiriya and Dambulla. Domestic tourism is noticeable during school vacations and on
weekends.

Attractions

Tourist attractions are classifiable as natural or anthropogenic. Natural attractions include nature
spots, flora and fauna, and places with a pleasant climate. Geotourism sites may also be included in
this category. Anthropogenic attractions include archaeological and cultural attractions, historical
and religion sites, performing arts and folklore, handicrafts and artifacts.

Wildlife

Yala National Park has the world's highest concentration of leopards per square kilometer.[12]

The world's largest gathering of wild Asian elephants at Minneriya park is commonly known as The
Gathering.[13][14][15]

Despite its small size, Sri Lanka possess high level of biodiversity and wildlife resources, and is rated
among the 34 biodiversity hotspots in the world.[16] Many species of flora and fauna are
indigenous to Sri Lanka. This has made the island a country with the highest rates of biological
endemism in the world.

13% of Sri Lanka's land surface has been designated as Wildlife Protected Areas (WLPAs) which at
present exceeds a total area of 8500 km2.[17] Approximately 7% of the area is national parks, the
areas allowed for the public to see and study wildlife. Sri Lanka's national parks have been become
popular tourist destinations.

National parks
Adam’s Bridge · Angammedilla · Bundala · Chundikkulam · Delft · Flood Plains · Gal Oya · Galway's
Land · Hikkaduwa · Horagolla · · Horton Plains · Kaudulla · Kumana · Lahugala Kitulana ·
Lunugamvehera · Madhu Road · Maduru Oya · Minneriya · Pigeon Island · Somawathiya ·
Udawalawe · Ussangoda · Wasgamuwa · Wilpattu · Yala

Beaches

The Unawatuna beach at southern coast of the island was named as the World's Best Beach for
2004 by Discovery Channel.[18] In 2013 it was ranked in among the world's 100 best beaches list by
CNN.[19]

Main article: List of beaches in Sri Lanka

Sri Lanka possesses nearly 1600 km coastlines with tropical beaches which are popular among both
local and foreign tourists.[20] Most of the coastlines of the country are studded with varying
coastal features such as bays, lagoons, sandbanks, and rocky headlands. Marine recreation
activities, such as sea bathing and swimming, surfing, boating, snorkelling, deep-sea fishing,
underwater photography, and scuba diving, can be seen at most of these beaches and related
resort areas. Beaches at Tangalle, Beruwala, Mirissa, Bentota, Unawatuna Arugam Bay, Pasikudah,
Hikkaduwa, Uppuveli and Negombo are considered as famous tourist beaches in the country.

Related attractions

Hummanaya · Stilt fishing

Natural scenic beauty

Sri Lanka has numerous tourist attractions with areas of natural scenic beauty, primarily including
mountainous terrains, agricultural landscapes, waterfalls, places with diverse climatic conditions,
reservoirs (wewas), and rivers.
Related attractions

Waterfalls of Sri Lanka · Mountains of Sri Lanka · Rivers of Sri Lanka

Botanical/zoological gardens

Herd of elephants at Pinnawala Elephant Orphanage

The country has six botanical gardens and four Zoological gardens. The botanical gardens are
maintained by the Department of National Botanical Gardens,[21] and the zoological gardens are
maintained by the Department of National Zoological Gardens.[22] The gardens have become
attractive places among local and foreign visitors.

Botanical Gardens

Royal Botanical Gardens · Hakgala Botanical Garden · Henarathgoda Botanical Garden · Mirijjawila
Botanical Garden · Seetawaka Botanical Garden · Ganewatta Forest Medicinal Herbal Botanical
Garden

Zoological Gardens

National Zoological Gardens · Pinnawala Elephant Orphanage · Pinnawala Open Zoo · Ridiyagama
Safari Park

Heritage

Sigiriya the ancient stone fortress considered by many to be the eighth wonder of the world.[23]

Heritage tourism involves visiting historical sites. Sri Lanka is very rich in pre-historic, proto-historic,
and historic monuments, which bespeak its ancient civilization and culture. Mainly Buddhism has
influenced in moulding the cultural heritage of the country. The historic period of Sri Lanka proper
starts at circa 236 B.C. with the introduction of Buddhism to the country by the missionaries sent by
the Indian empire Asoka.

The UNESCO has declared six archaeological and two ecological World Heritage Sites in the
country.[24] Beside the world heritage sites the government of Sri Lanka has declared a number of
archaeological protected sites and monuments within the country.

World Heritage Sites

Anuradhapura · Central Highlands of Sri Lanka · Dambulla cave temple · Galle · Polonnaruwa ·
Sigiriya · Sinharaja Forest Reserve · Temple of the Tooth

Archaeological Protected Monuments

Nuwara Eliya District · Matale District · Kandy District · Ampara District · Trincomalee District ·
Batticaloa District · Anuradhapura District · Polonnaruwa District · Kurunegala District · Puttalam
District · Kilinochchi District · Mannar District · Mullaitivu District · Jaffna District · Vavuniya District ·
Kegalle District · Ratnapura District · Galle District · Matara District · Hambantota District · Badulla
District · Monaragala District · Colombo District · Kalutara District · Gampaha District

Pilgrimage

The mountain of Sri Pada is one of the places where people of four major religions worship
together.[25]

Sri Lanka is well known for its rich Buddhist culture as well as other religions. Being a religious
country, Sri Lanka has many places with religious and historic significance, which attract tourists
from all over the world. Anuradhapura, Temple of the Tooth, Sri Pada, Shrine of Our Lady of Madhu
and Kataragama, are a few famous religious sites in the island that attract a large number of
tourists.[26]
The foot pilgrimage called Pada Yatra, which is one of Sri Lanka's oldest traditions, has been
practiced for centuries, where the local people from Jaffna come along the East Coast to
Kataragama shrine.[27]

Related attractions

Buddhist Vihara in Sri Lanka · Hindu temples in Sri Lanka · Atamasthana · Solosmasthana

Sports and adventure

Sports tourism is defined as either people being involved in, observing or participating in a
particular sporting event for leisure.[28] Sri Lanka is also a destination for sports such as cricket,
rugby, golf and surfing. Except for cricket, the contribution to the tourism sector from other sports
are still at a very low level. Apart from mainstream sports events, adventure sports are also
included in sports tourism. Trekking, hiking, diving, rock climbing, deep sea fishing, whale watching
and hot air ballooning are some of the adventure sports those can be found in Sri Lanka.[29]

Related attractions

Whale watching in Sri Lanka

Culture and other

National Museum of Colombo, established in 1877

Tea tourism is a relatively new concept, which is already practiced in Sri Lanka.[30]

Cultural tourism includes tourism in urban areas, particularly historic or large cities and their
cultural facilities such as museums and theatres.
Museums and theatres - Currently four national museums[31] and 26 archaeological museums[32]
have been established in Sri Lanka. National museums are maintained by the Department of
National Museums and archaeological museums by the Department of Archaeology. Beside the
museums a large number of theatres also can be found in Sri Lanka.

Festivals - Sri Lanka is a multi-cultural country with several different festivals celebrated by various
communities. Sinhala and Tamil New Year celebrations, Vesak Festival, Christmas, Ramadan
festival, Thai Pongal, and the Galle Literary Festival are a few of the major festivals.

Performing arts - There are three main traditional dance forms in Sri Lanka: Kandyan dancing, low
country dancing, and Sabaragamuwa dancing. Though not unique to Sri Lanka, 'Bharatanatyam',
which originated from India is also popular in Sri Lanka particularly among the Tamil community.

Food - The cuisine of Sri Lanka has been influenced by many historical, cultural, and other factors.
Rice is the main staple diet of the country. Other staples include hoppers, string hoppers, and
pittu.[33]

Being one of the largest producers of tea in the world Sri Lanka is best known for the production of
unorthodox tea. Tea was introduced to the country by the British who called the country "Ceylon".
Pure Ceylon tea is considered some of the finest tea produced anywhere in the world.

Handicrafts - Handicrafts available in Sri Lanka include wood carving, silverware, brass castings,
ceramic ware, bamboo products, pottery, batiks, lace works, cane works, costume jewelry,
lacquerware, wooden masks, coir goods, handlooms, and ivory products.
Related attractions

Museums in Sri Lanka · Theatre of Sri Lanka · Festivals in Sri Lanka · Esala Perahera · Dances of Sri
Lanka · Sri Lankan cuisine · Sri Lankan sweets and desserts

Accommodations

AEC Routemaster used as a tour bus in Colombo

Cinnamon Air seaplane in Colombo

Tourist accommodations in Sri Lanka consist of graded hotels, supplementary establishments, guest
houses and limited scale camping sites. More informal accommodation is available on a paying
guest system in private houses and hill-country tea estate bungalows.

Earnings

The tourist industry makes a significant contribution to the national economy by directly
contributing to the government budget, foreign-exchange earnings and employment generation. It
contributes both directly and indirectly, in the provision of goods and services to the tourist sector.

Social and environmental impacts

Tourism in Sri Lanka, despite its benefits for the local economy (it is one of the main foreign income
sources of the country), has its critics. Some studies indicate that quick modern tourism
development would not cater to the specific needs of the local people.[34] Also, the high
biodiversity of Sri Lanka seems to be threatened by the development of mass tourism which has
already affected several natural reserves. Some endangered animal species seem to be seriously
threatened by the rise of tourism in some areas; that is the case with the Keerthisinghe’s Rock Frog,
which is endemic in Sri Lanka.[35]
An alternative kind of tourism, called ecotourism, sustainable tourism or responsible tourism,
enables travelers to participate in tourism throughout Sri Lanka while contributing on the well-
being of the local communities and making sure their environmental impact is limited.[36] The Sri
Lanka Ecotourism Foundation is the national organization that created an official ecotourism
network through the island, allowing to develop sustainable tourism with wide options of travel. In
2010, the foundation won the presidential awards for "Outstanding Contribution for Tourism in Sri
Lanka".[37]