Sri Lanka aim to be best tourist destination in the world

Sri Lanka aim to be best tourist destination in the world

Sri Lanka’s sudden emergence as a global tourism hotspot is no accident, as the island nation has seemingly everything to offer the discerning traveller. For centuries travellers have sung their praises of her innumerable charms, and once again the rediscovery of the world’s resplendent isle has begun.

This time the internet has made the rediscovery a lot easier and brought it to a wider global audience. After suffering almost three decades of civil conflict, during which the country remained firmly off the global travel map, the island nation is now back on it and having Lonely Planet describe Sri Lanka as the “jewel of the Indian Ocean” in its “top ten places to visit in 2011” is certainly helping.

Tourist arrivals are significantly up after the war ended in May 2009. Where the best war years saw no more that 300,000 tourist arrivals, 2010, which was the first full year of peacetime saw the numbers swell to over 700,000. This all started with The New York Times featuring Sri Lanka as the number one (#1) destination to visit in 2010.

Further adding to the swell in visitor number throughout 2010 were several media reports citing the wonders and beauty of the country, and by National Geographic Magazine ranking Sri Lanka number 2 in its “20 best destinations of 2010” was amongst the best of them. Several media reports have also given ample coverage to many large tourism infrastructure projects being developed by international luxury hotel chains all across the island, adding to a desperately needed increase in available hotel rooms.

For 2011 the international media and tourism experts predict there will be a boom in Sri Lanka’s tourism industry due to the prevailing peace and such global events as the ICC Cricket World Cup 2011 matches currently taking place on the island.

The Cricket World Cup has drawn huge attention and below is a Facebook status update from a travelling cricket fan, visiting Sri Lanka to watch the games: (outboundholidays.com)

Bundala National Park

Bundala National Park is an internationally important
wintering ground for migratory water birds in Sri Lanka. Bundala harbors 197
species of Birds, the highlight being the Greater Flamingo, which migrate in
large flocks. Bundala was designated a wildlife sanctuary in 1969 and
redesignated to a national park on 4 January 1993. In 1991 Bundala became
the first wetland to be declared as a Ramsar site in Sri Lanka. In 2005 the
national park was designated as a biosphere reserve by UNESCO, the fourth biosphere
reserve in Sri Lanka. The national park is situated 245 kilometres (152 mi)
southeast of Colombo. Wikipedia

UDAWALAWE NATIONAL PARK is located approximately 200 km
south-east of Colombo city and is a major eco tourism destination in Sri Lanka .
The 30,821 hectares dry zone game park has an annual rainfall of 1524 mm and an
average temperature of 29.4°C.

It is most famous for the many elephants that live there (about
400 in total). During a visit, it is not unusual to see whole herds of adults
and young elephants– feeding or bathing and playing in the water! In addition to
this main attraction, the park is home to many water buffalo, water monitor
lizards, sambar deer, monkeys and the occasional leopard, as well as being an
exciting location for bird enthusiasts. Eco tema

“A Heaven on Earth”

Sri Lanka offers you many small miracles. White sandy beaches, Serendipity at its best, lush greenery, exciting adventures, amazing wildlife and a rich heritage. The warm and friendly smiles of the people await you in the Isle of Sri Lanka.
Come experience and enjoy !

Because of its location in the path of major sea routes, Sri Lanka is a strategic naval link between West Asia and South East Asia, and has been a center of Buddhist religion and culture from ancient times. Today, the country is a multi-religious and multi-ethnic nation, with more than a quarter of the population following faiths other than Buddhism, notably Hinduism, Christianity and Islam. The Sinhalese community forms the majority of the population, with Tamils, who are concentrated in the north and east of the island, forming the largest ethnic minority. Other communities include Moors, Burghers, Kaffirs and the Malays.