2008 News Archive - Holidays - Sri Lanka bounces back with sustainable tourism

05 02 2007

After the devastating Boxing Day tsunami that killed thousands in 2005, Sri Lanka is once again flourishing as a tourism resort, a travel writer has claimed.

In an article published in the Times, Jill Crawshaw claims that the destroyed hotels have now been repaired and that new ones have also been built. The basic infrastructure of the country has been recovered and tourists are arriving to find forward-thinking and dynamic resorts.

Jean-Marc Flambert, the UK's director of tourism for Sri Lanka, told the Times that the progress made during the last two years will ensure Sri Lanka remains a leader in the industry.

"We've had time to reflect on the kind of tourism we want - not just packing in the numbers, but developing sustainable tourism - so holidaymakers can stay in smaller establishments and meet our people," he said.

Among the new facilities listed by Ms Crawshaw is the "Hop-on Hop-off Air Tax Service", offering round-the-island daytrips for approximately £500.

Visitors are also advised to try a mountain bike tour, many of which follow routes through quaint villages, expansive plantations and impressive valleys. "There's a choice of routes, from challenging 20-mile treks heading to the coast to two-hour pootles past temples and bird sanctuaries ending up on the beach for sunset cocktails and a dip."

A trip to Colombo, Sri Lanka's capital city, is also a must, if only for its exceptional museums and galleries. It is a truly engrossing city, packed full of surprises, and it provides a welcome daytrip to those based around Sri Lanka's breathtaking coastline.