Sri Lankan government is keen on boosting the tourism industry – A way forward towards regional integration

Tourism | Image Credit : Colby Otero from Brooklyn, USA, Morning view of Tangalla beach, Sri Lanka, CC BY 2.0

After the end of the civil war that lasted for more than three decades, Sri Lanka showed promising results of economic development. In recent years, Sri Lanka was gradually emerging as one of the world’s greatest tourist hotspots. In 2018, more than 1.3 million tourists have visited the country with China, England and India being the leading markets. Foreseeing the potential growth of tourism industry, the government of Sri Lanka has taken steps to re-introduce the ‘visa-free entry policy’ for all SAARC countries since at present the visa-free arrival is only offered to tourists from Maldives, Singapore, and Nepal. Tourists visiting the country will come across numerous architectural wonders, mesmeric beaches, historic attractions and some of the finest Sri Lanka beach resorts the likes of The Blue Water Hotel and Spa.