The Insider The lure of lush


landscapes S


Special report: Bookings for Sri Lanka are on Ìhi Õ« >à >vyÕinÌ ÌÀ>ÛilliÀà VÀ>Ûi iÝ«iÀiinVià ‘beyond the sunlounger’. Katie Byng-Hall reports


ometimes referred to as the Pearl of the Indian Ocean, Sri Lanka is famed for its abundant wildlife and lush terrain. Where other island nations boast rows of palm trees and overwater villas, Sri Lanka majors on raw landscapes,


making it a unique destination for adventure that an increasing number of travellers are taking notice of. According to the Sri Lanka Tourism Development


Authority, the country welcomed more than two million international tourists last year – 38% more than in 6JG WPQHƂEKCN VCTIGV KU VQ CVVTCEV VJTGG OKNNKQP visitors and generate $5 billion in tourism revenue this year. On October 1, the government will scrap the $50 visa fee for 33 countries, including the UK, making travel to the island even more enticing.


ON THE UP A continued upward trend in bookings to Sri Lanka seems inevitable. Tourist arrivals have increased


by 16.4% this year, including a 21.8% rise in June compared with the same month in 2024. The trend is TGƃGEVGF KP $TKVKUJ DQQMKPI JCDKVU YKVJ OCP[ CIGPVU and operators reporting a hike in demand. %CTTKGT JCU UGGP UKIPKƂECPV ITQYVJ KP VJG TGIKQP


with bookings up 200% between 2023 and 2024. Asia product manager Deepavali Gaind says the rise can be partly attributed to an “increase in stability” in the country after visitor numbers dropped following the political and civil unrest of 2022. Red Savannah has seen demand for the


destination surge by 45% in the past year, with clients also willing to pay more than previously. The operator’s average spend per person has gone up from $11,000 to $12,250 in the past year alone. Pure Luxury’s Sri Lanka hotel bookings are 9% up year on year, while departures to the country from January to June were 14% higher than last year. Victoria Roxburgh, Sri Lanka specialist for Audley Travel, which has seen a “huge increase” in interest for


16 ASPIRETRAVELCLUB.CO.UK THE INSIDER SEPTEMBER 2025


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