Tourism

• Pinnawala Open Zoo: Opened on April 17, 2015, this facility became Sri Lanka's first open-air zoo, offering visitors an immersive wildlife experience adjacent to the renowned Pinnawala Elephant Orphanage.

• Jetwing Kaduruketha: Launched in December 2015, this luxury agro-tourism resort in Wellawaya integrates upscale hospitality with sustainable agriculture, providing guests with an authentic Sri Lankan rural experience.

• Development of the Eastern and Northern Provinces: The government initiated projects to boost tourism in these regions, including the Kuchchaveli Resort Development near Trincomalee and the Passikudah Resort Development. These initiatives aimed to enhance infrastructure and attract international visitors.

• Expansion of Hotel Capacity: To accommodate the growing number of tourists, there was a significant increase in hotel room capacity, with an addition of 2,960 rooms, bringing the total to 22,336 rooms in 2016. This expansion was crucial in meeting the rising demand for accommodations.

• Strategic Tourism Plan 2017-2020: The Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority (SLTDA) launched a comprehensive plan to enhance the country's tourism infrastructure, marketing, and sustainability efforts.

• Participation in Arabian Travel Market (ATM): Sri Lanka Tourism showcased its offerings at the ATM held from April 24th to 27th, 2017, in Dubai, aiming to attract more international visitors.

• Digital Transformation Initiatives: SLTDA launched ICT projects to modernize services, including a Board Affairs Management System, Digital Marketing Campaign, and Cloud-Based Email Solution. 

• Tourism Strategic Plan 2017-2020: SLTDA developed a plan to enhance infrastructure, marketing, and sustainability to position Sri Lanka as a competitive global destination.Source 

• "So Sri Lanka" Branding Campaign: Launched to enhance the country's image and attract international visitors.

• Cable Car Project in Nuwara Eliya: Initiated to boost tourism in the hill country by offering scenic views and attracting both local and foreign tourists.

• Visa Fee Exemption: Implemented for 48 countries to encourage more tourists to visit Sri Lanka.

COVID-19 caused a sharp decline in tourism, with 507,704 tourists visiting Sri Lanka, and tourism earnings falling 60% to $956 million. 

• Virtual Wildlife Streaming: To engage potential tourists during travel restrictions, the Sri Lanka Tourism Promotion Bureau launched virtual safaris, showcasing the country's national parks and wildlife through live streaming.

tourists visited Sri Lanka, marking a recovery after the decline in April. By the end of the year, 194,495 arrivals were recorded, a 61.7% drop compared to 2020. The top source countries in December were India, Russia, the United Kingdom, Germany, and Ukraine. 

• Cable Car Project: The government facilitated the country's first cable car project to enhance tourism experiences.

• Tourism Resilience Support: The Asian Development Bank initiated a project to support tourism resilience, aiming to build a competitive tourism sector.

• Strategic Tourism Plan 2022-2025: The Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority developed a strategic plan to enhance the country's tourism infrastructure, marketing, and sustainability efforts.

Sri Lanka is promoting marine tourism by developing maritime zones in the Eastern, Southern, and Western provinces, with plans for yacht anchoring bays, diving facilities, and tourist amenities. Rs. 50 million from the 2023 budget will support this development. The government will also focus on promoting water rafting and sports tourism to attract more visitors. 

After the economic crisis, Sri Lanka's tourism strategy shifts to a new vision emphasizing the country’s location, climate, and heritage with the “Visit Sri Lanka” campaign targeting 5 million tourists by 2024. Legal changes, infrastructure development with Rs. 1 billion and Rs. 750 million, and the modernization of government-owned resorts are key to attracting visitors. Additionally, the Pinnawala-Kithulgala Tourism Corridor will be developed, with Galigamuwa New Town as the hub.

• Bandaranaike International Airport Expansion – Terminal 2 to be expanded with Japanese investments.

• The Port City Colombo Development :major project to create a special economic zone on reclaimed land near Colombo, featuring a financial district, luxury hotels, residential areas, and recreational facilities, aiming to position Sri Lanka as a global business hub.