Tourism Minister Vijitha Herath announced plans to enhance Sri Lanka’s tourism offerings in 2025, aiming to attract high-end travellers. Speaking at the inauguration of a new ayurvedic resort in Bentara, he highlighted the importance of balancing quality and quantity in tourist arrivals.
“Tourism is not only an industry, it also reflects our history, culture, and heritage,” the Minister stated, emphasizing the potential of ayurvedic wellness tourism to attract affluent visitors for longer stays.
To achieve this goal, Herath called for improved service standards, enhanced travel experiences, and innovative product offerings. Sri Lanka recorded over 2.05 million tourist arrivals last year, the third highest in its history, and has set an ambitious target of 3 million visitors for 2025.
The Minister also addressed challenges, including tourists misusing visas for business activities and overstaying. He suggested fostering quality partnerships and joint ventures to encourage legitimate investment while mitigating such issues.
These initiatives are expected to create local employment, promote cultural exchanges, and extend tourism’s benefits to rural areas, contributing to economic growth across the country.