Tourist arrivals grow by 38% to 2 m in 2024

Sri Lanka’s tourism industry concluded 2024 with over 2.05 million arrivals. The performance represents the highest annual figure since 2019, showcasing a remarkable 38.07% year-on-year (YoY) growth. December 2024 also saw 248,592 arrivals, an 18.18% increase compared to the same period last year, marking the highest monthly performance of the year. The average daily arrivals …

Cape Weligama Reopens: The Crown Jewel of Sri Lanka’s South Coast Returns

Cape Weligama, the iconic cliff-top resort spanning 12 acres of tropical gardens with breathtaking 270-degree ocean views, has reopened following a comprehensive refresh. Dubbed the ‘Crown Jewel of the South Coast’ the property now offers expanded guest experiences, including curated marine excursions, culinary journeys, and a newly unveiled Cove Beach. These enhancements aim to deepen …

Classic Destinations Appoints Chalaka Gajabahu as Head of Destinations

Classic Destinations, the inbound travel arm of Expolanka Holdings, is proud to announce the appointment of Chalaka Gajabahu as its new Head of Destinations. This strategic leadership move underscores the company’s commitment to driving Sri Lanka’s tourism industry to new heights. Chalaka Gajabahu, the former Chairman of the Sri Lanka Tourism Promotion Bureau (SLTPB), brings …

The Department of Railways has issued a special announcement regarding reserved train seat tickets and refunds.

The Department of Railways has issued a special announcement regarding reserved train seat tickets and refunds. The notice states that it is mandatory for passengers to provide their National Identity Card number or passport number when booking train seats. Additionally, it also states that arrangements have been made to check and confirm the National Identity …

IndiGo Emerges as Sri Lanka’s Largest Foreign Airline with 54 Weekly Flights from Key Indian Cities.

Currently operates 54 weekly flights connecting Sri Lanka with Bangalore, Chennai, Hyderabad, and Mumbai The enhancement of connectivity between India and Sri Lanka is set to yield significant benefits for both nations. For India, this increased connectivity facilitates easier access to Sri Lanka, a popular destination for Indian tourists. This could potentially boost tourism, fostering …

Sri Lanka ranked 4th best country for long vacations in global study

Sri Lanka has been ranked among the top five destinations in the world for long vacations in a study conducted by Ubuy India, a global e-commerce platform. With a total score of 42.283 and a search volume of 1,127,010, Sri Lanka was listed as the 4th best country in the report which analysed over 100 …

Beyond the beaches: 5 offbeat tourist attractions in Sri Lanka you can’t miss

Sri Lanka, often referred to as the ‘Pearl of the Indian Ocean,’ is a paradise for travelers seeking sun-kissed beaches, rich cultural heritage, and diverse wildlife. While popular destinations like Colombo, Kandy, and Galle attract millions of tourists each year, Sri Lanka also boasts a plethora of offbeat places that offer a more authentic and …

Sri Lanka records over 1 million tourist arrivals so far in 2024

The total number of tourist arrivals to Sri Lanka during the period elapsed this year, as of 18 July 2024, stands at a remarkable 1,019,642. According to the latest data released by the Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority (SLTDA), 43,083 tourists have arrived in Sri Lanka during the first week of July while 42,343 arrived …

Sri Lanka adopts smart destination management and IoT to attract more tourists

Sri Lanka is adopting innovative measures to leverage information technology for tourism, aiming to meet the needs of travellers worldwide, according to Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority (SLTDA) Chairman, Priantha Fernando. He emphasised the necessity for all industry stakeholders to join hands in promoting tourism with discipline and responsibility, especially considering the challenging turnaround from …

Go a little bit wild on a Sri Lankan safari

An elephant is grazing on the succulent bulbs of reeds, tugged out of the marshy earth around a waterhole, utterly unconcerned by our presence. We’ve bumped across rutted red tracks, detoured around defiant water buffaloes unwilling to give way to our jeep, spotted open-mouthed crocodiles sunbathing beside streams, and startled herds of skittish chital deer …