Sri Lanka: Sense of serenity

The country is endorsed by many global media brands as one of the best destinations to visit this year

Travel destinations in Sri Lanka provide an array of holiday experiences from sun-kissed beach holidays to a marathon of wildlife watching, adrenaline pumping adventure sports, and pilgrimages to some of the oldest cities in the world. Its spicy food, exotic fruits and array of sweetmeats are found nowhere in the world.
Sri Lanka is recognised as one of the 34 biodiversity hotspots in the world. The country has the highest amphibian species density in the world with a high concentration in the Sinharaja rainforest, designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Around 13 per cent of Sri Lanka is conserved as national parks, reserves, sanctuaries and jungle corridors.
The island is also perfect for water sports and lazying on the beach. Well-known areas are Arugam Bay, Nilaveli beach, and the coral gardens of Pigeon Island. The ocean around these is home to large families of cetaceans, including the mighty blue whales, sperm whales and dolphins.
Visitors can unwind in the care of traditional Ayurveda professionals and meditation. The country's native healing system has been perfected for more than 5,000 years for spiritual nourishment. The cultivation of various types of rice, spices, vegetables and fruits ensure that Sri Lanka enjoys a varied and delicious cuisine, alongside Ceylon tea, which is crowned as the best ethically produced tea in the world. Hotels indulge in adventure sports, jungle cabins, treehouses and eco-lodges, and camping under canvas.
Sri Lanka also has the widest variety of precious stones among the world's gem-producing countries and is known for high-quality cinnamon. With a history expanding over 3,000 years, Sri Lanka holds some of the world's ancient cities. The country's cultural depth is recognised by UNESCO, which has declared six archaeological World Heritage Sites in the country. Enormous dagobas and remains of ancient buildings are present in the ruined cities of Anuradhapura and Polonnaruwa.
An awesome stairway to the temple at Dambulla and sensual frescoes at the rock of Sigiriya exhibits the talents of historic artists in Sri Lanka. Dalada Maligawa or Sacred Temple of the Tooth, which houses the sacred tooth relic of the Buddha, is a must-visit for global Buddhist travellers and culture lovers.
Tourism, as the third largest foreign exchange earner that recorded $2.98 billion in 2015, is an important sector for the country. In 2016, Sri Lanka attracted 2,050,832 tourists showing a 14 per cent year-on-year increase. With the launch of the National Tourism Strategy 2020, Sri Lanka tourism is now set to become the country's second foreign exchange earner with a target of $5.5 billion by 2020.
Tourism and its supporting industries are set to employ 600,000 Sri Lankans where women will account for 10 per cent of the workforce as planned. This strategy is geared towards a daily spend increase per tourist to $210.
Sri Lanka is working towards a definite mission, i.e., "to be a high-value destination offering extraordinary experiences that reflect its natural and cultural heritage that are socially inclusive and environmentally responsible, and drive economic benefits to communities and the country", by 2020.
Stable political conditions coupled with massive promotional campaigns will support Sri Lanka's tourism to gain a higher market share in the region. Sri Lanka is easily accessible by air and sea from all parts of the world. Its national carrier Sri Lankan Airlines operates to many destinations in the world and the online visa system, which has been in place since January 2012, has made travelling hassle-free for tourists.
Recent developments of highways have created more comfortable drives for travellers from Bandaranaike International Airport to Colombo, a main commercial hub. With plenty of approved transport systems such as trains, helicopter journeys, seaplanes, boat rides and tuktuk rides, Sri Lanka has become a better place in terms of commuting. Recent infrastructure developments in Kalpitiya, Passikudah and Dedduwa will facilitate more advanced facilities for tourists.
Sri Lanka is endorsed by many global media brands as one of the best destinations to visit in 2017. Among these are Bloomburg Pursuits, National Geographic, The Independent, Rough Guides, and Vogue Magazine, UK. With so many cultures thriving beside one another, Sri Lanka is an ideal recipe for fun and leisure.