Sri Lanka to develop 100 new tourist attractions
Xinhua: The Sri Lankan government has identified 100 new locations as tourist attractions and plans to invest Rs. 1 billion ($ 3.4 million) in developing basic infrastructure in these areas, Tourism Deputy Minister Ruwan Ranasinghe said on 5 March.
As part of the Clean Sri Lanka national programme, which aims to promote a morally and environmentally sustainable nation, Sri Lanka will also establish visitor centers this year, he said.
Tourism is a critical pillar of Sri Lanka’s economy, serving as a major source of foreign revenue. The sector has shown resilience and growth in recent years, with the government setting an ambitious target of attracting three million tourist arrivals in 2023, according to official statements.
This new initiative to develop 100 tourist sites aligns with the country’s broader strategy to diversify its tourism offerings, reduce overcrowding at popular destinations, and promote lesser-known regions.
Sri Lanka’s tourism industry has faced significant challenges in recent years, including the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic and the economic crisis that began in 2022. However, the government has been actively working to rebuild the sector, focusing on sustainable tourism practices and infrastructure development.
The identification of new tourist attractions is expected to create employment opportunities, stimulate local economies, and contribute to the country’s post-crisis recovery.
This initiative comes at a time when global travel is rebounding, and tourists are increasingly seeking unique and off-the-beaten-path experiences. By expanding its portfolio of tourist attractions, Sri Lanka hopes to attract a diverse range of visitors, from adventure seekers to cultural enthusiasts, and solidify its reputation as a must-visit destination.
As the government moves forward with its plans, stakeholders in the tourism industry are optimistic about the potential for growth and the positive impact these developments will have on the country’s economy.
OSL take:
Sri Lanka’s steadily growing tourism industry that generates a major portion of the country’s revenue is on an expansion path. With the target of further increasing tourist arrivals to the country, local tourism authorities have undertaken many promotional campaigns in foreign source markets while also identifying and setting up new tourism concepts to attract foreign travellers to the country. All these are also indicative of the overall expansion of business/investment opportunities in Sri Lanka’s tourism industry and related sectors. These opportunities range from the development of infrastructure and supplementary infrastructure required to meet the growing demand in tourism with special focus on the leisure and hospitality sectors. The interest shown by international leisure and hospitality brands to enter Sri Lanka’s tourism industry and the expansion programmes undertaken by local businesses in the industry are also indicative of the growing business potential in the industry. Now with the Sri Lankan authorities looking at further developing more tourist attractions in the country, there are further business/investment opportunities emerging in the local tourism industry. Foreign businesses/investors could therefore confidently explore the increasing opportunities in the local tourism industry.
| Article Code : | VBS/AT/20250312/Z_2 |