📈 Sri Lanka's Tourism Boom: Experts Urge Sustainable Growth

Intrepid Travel Asia–Australia MD Natalie Kidd highlights Sri Lanka's surging popularity and stresses the need for sustainable destination management to safeguard its future. • Rapid Growth: Sri Lanka broke into Intrepid Travel's global top 10 in 2024, with arrivals doubling in 2024, and projected to grow 50% in both 2025 and 2026. • Warning Signs: Unmanaged tourism risks include rising global carbon emissions (10% of global total), anti-tourism protests, and over-tourism impacting local needs. • Strategic Shift Needed: Urges Sri Lanka to prioritize quality visitors over unchecked numbers, adopt strategic destination management, and set carrying capacities to protect natural and cultural assets. • Sustainability as a Competitive Edge: Visitors increasingly choose destinations with strong environmental and community standards. A third of European travellers may change destinations if sustainability is lacking. • Key Recommendations: • Protect biodiversity, heritage sites, and local traditions. • Address waste, water management, and ethical wildlife tourism. • Increase community inclusion, especially for women in visible industry roles. • Diverse Appeal: Sri Lanka's beaches, culture, wildlife, and adventure offer year-round appeal and enable higher-value segments. • Call to Action: Government and public-private collaboration are crucial to implement practical steps for a value-driven, sustainable tourism future.