Tourism - Summary

Infrastructure and Attractions:

• Pinnawala Open Zoo (2015): Sri Lanka's first open-air zoo, enhancing wildlife tourism.

• Jetwing Kaduruketha (2015): A luxury agro-tourism resort integrating upscale hospitality with sustainable agriculture.

• Cable Car Projects (2019 & 2022): Initiatives in Nuwara Eliya and other regions to offer scenic views and boost hill country tourism.

• Bandaranaike International Airport Expansion (2025): Enhancements to accommodate increased air traffic.

• Port City Colombo Development (Ongoing): A special economic zone featuring a financial district, luxury hotels, and recreational facilities.

Strategic Plans and Campaigns:

• Tourism Strategic Plans (2017-2020 & 2022-2025): Comprehensive frameworks to enhance infrastructure, marketing, and sustainability.

• "So Sri Lanka" Branding Campaign (2019): Aimed at redefining the country's image to attract international visitors.

• "Visit Sri Lanka" Campaign (2024): Targeting 5 million tourists by emphasizing the nation's location, climate, and heritage.

Policy and Economic Measures:

• Visa Fee Exemptions (2019 & 2024): Implemented for numerous countries to encourage tourism.

• Tourism Resilience Support (2022): Projects initiated to build a competitive and resilient tourism sector.

Challenges and Recovery:

• COVID-19 Pandemic (2020): A sharp decline in tourism, with significant drops in arrivals and earnings.

Economic Crisis (2022): Further impacted tourism, leading to strategic shifts and recovery efforts.