Sri Lanka all set to Experience Tourism Boom in Next Five Years

Sri Lanka, one of the favourite destinations for British and American tourists is all set to bundle away the signs of shells that tore peace on the island for sometime. After massive unrest the region seems to have calmed down and in the last quarter there has been a rise in tourists by 50%.

Violence and terrorism always affect normal life and tourism had fallen not only in Sri Lanka but also in its neighbouring country, Thailand, where it fell almost by a range of 30% to 50% due to the recent protests. However, it is expected that tourism will rise in Asia and people will tour to places where peace prevails. At the Travel and Tourism Summit in Beijing, Bill Marriott corroborated the view that there would be growth in tourism in Asia.

At present, Sri Lanka earns USD 400 million annually from tourism and intends to earn USD 1000 million by 2015. It also expects an increase in tourists from 500,000 to 2.5 million. It’s but natural that the future will see a number of affordable airlines operating flights to Sri Lanka.
Employment and tourism go hand in hand as tourism employs 235 m people across the globe. The Chinese Government has made Tourism as one of its priority sectors for support and the Sri Lankan Government is logically encouraging tourism.

Having fought home grown terrorism successfully, Sri Lanka is making tremendous efforts to boost tourism and will launch a new programme, ‘Travel Sri Lanka’, to promote the country around the world.

As consumption in China is growing by 15%-20%, the Chinese globe trotters are expected to explore the world. So Sri Lanka is trying hard to draw the attention of Chinese tourists. Sri Lanka saw 70 percent rise in Chinese tourists last winter.

The country is expecting an increased number of flights to Colombo which is the international face of the country and has the country’s only international airport. The country’s national carrier, Sri Lankan Airlines is the preferred airline for many to book cheap flights to Sri Lanka.

Expect More Flights to Sri Lanka as US Lifts Warning

The Sri Lankan Government says all is well in Colombo now and that tourists can safely visit Colombo this summer. Colombo has always been able to attract sunbathers from the west and a major chunk of the visitors constitute the tourists from the UK. Every year, in the summer, the holidaymakers seek flights to Colombo to experience some of the best sun sand and surf.

Given the occasional violence erupting now and then between the Sinhalese majority and Tamil minority, lives had been at risk for both the Sri Lankans and its visitors as well. The US Government had earlier advised its citizens against travel to Sri Lanka on the grounds of security. After the Sri Lankan Government’s victory over the separatist Tamil militants, the Sri Lankan Government has asked the US Government not to dissuade its citizens from visiting Colombo.

It has been one year that Sri Lanka has had no US tourists and now on the request of the Sri Lankan Government the US Government has lifted its warning. Sri Lanka’s hospitality and delicious cuisine have always pleased its visitors and have remained a major attraction for the UK and the US tourists.

Western tourists have always enjoyed the Sri Lankan summer by sipping on freshly tapped palm wine (palm toddy) or Ceylon tea. If you are looking for some great sunshine and salubrious weather then book cheap flights to Colombo at the earliest before the cost of the tickets spiral up. There are many airfares available on all the flights to Sri Lanka at best price in the industry.