Sri Lanka Reopens the Country for International Tourism While Carving out A New Future for the Industry – Reinventing Sri Lanka
Since the turn of the pandemic, many tourist establishments around Sri Lanka have unfortunately had to close. However, for some service providers, the troubles began well ahead of the pandemic; the tourism industry of the country was hit hard by the Easter bombings of April 2019, reducing tourist arrivals by 70% compared to the previous year. After months of uncertainty, Sri Lanka’s borders reopened for international tourists on the 21st of January since they closed down in March 2020. Foreign travellers are required to undergo mandatory quarantine for 14-days at selected star-class resorts (with Level 1 recognition) while local tourists can stay at one of the best hotels in Sri Lanka including properties belonging to popular chains such as Araliya Hotels & Resorts,
Even though a step has been taken in the right direction, many have felt that small businesses are neglected in the process. However, according to the director-general of the SLTDA, the country is working toward building a sustainable tourism model; for instance, educating people on sustainable practices to cater to the rising demands of wellness and adventure experiences.