Sri Lanka is preparing to expand its tourism sector by officially gazetting 20 new tourist zones before November, as part of efforts to attract more international visitors and strengthen the country’s position as a leading global travel destination.
Chairman of the Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority (SLTDA), Buddhika Hewawasam, confirmed that the process of identifying and designating the new tourism zones is already underway and is expected to be completed before the November deadline.
The initiative comes as Sri Lanka’s tourism industry continues to recover, with visitor arrivals showing strong growth so far this year.
According to available statistics, Sri Lanka has welcomed 1,076,487 tourists during the period under review, reflecting renewed international interest in the country’s attractions.
India has become the largest source market for Sri Lanka’s tourism sector, recording the highest number of arrivals among all countries.
A total of 272,099 Indian tourists have visited Sri Lanka so far, highlighting the strong travel and cultural connections between the two nations.
Authorities expect the expansion of tourist zones to create new opportunities for investment, improve tourism infrastructure and further boost Sri Lanka’s reputation as a diverse and attractive holiday destination.
