Sri Lanka Developing Adventure Tourism

The COVID-19 pandemic and recent foreign currency crisis did a number on Sri Lanka's tourism industry, caused by food and fuel shortages along with mounting inflation.

To find out what happened to the tourism industry, let's rewind the clock back to 2022.

With power outages and inflation rates reaching as high as 50%, Sri Lanka went through a dark period. As the fuel crisis led to schools closing and people being urged to work from home, the citizens took to the streets to protest in Colombo and other regions.

Since the country could not pay their foreign debt, for the first time, the IMF stepped in and approved a $3 billion bailout loan, to restructure their debt and ease the economic crisis.

With the rupee strengthening by 2023, the nation is now focusing on recovery and has introduced long term strategies to keep their tourism sector afloat. They plan to broaden their tourist offerings by targeting adventure-seeking travelers and prioritize quality over quantity.

Sri Lankan authorities even unveiled plans, including the Pekoe Trail, a 23-day trek through the mountains, at a conference in Dubai for the Arabian Travel Market held at the Dubai World Trade Centre.

As a country with a great climate and landscape, having the best of both worlds means adventure enthusiasts can obtain unique and fun experiences

From hiking to underwater adventures, there are various options to fit the preferences of travelers. Here is a list of some action-packed and eactivities you can experience in Sri Lanka:

• Hiking and rock climbing - With several outbacks and scenic mountains, you can partake in several trekking and mountain climbing excursions.
• Kayaking - If you enjoy kayaking in the wild, whitewater rafting, or sliding down waterfalls, plan your next trip to Sri Lanka.
• Underwater adventures - This island offers underwater expeditions in regions like Trincomalee.
• Surfing - It doesn't matter whether you are a beginner or a pro, surf to your heart's content in places such as Weligama and Arugam Bay.
• Safari - Abundant wildlife means a plenitude of safari tours. There are many jungles to explore from the Habarana jungle to the Wilpattu national park.
• Bird and whale watching - As a tropical island with several exotic species native to Sri Lanka, you are in for a treat. Bird watching is available in the Sinharaja forest and Sigiriya Sanctuary. For whale watching, there are several coastal areas like Mirissa, that are perfect to observe whales and dolphins.
• Hot air ballooning - the climate from Dambulla to Kandalama is very calm and predictable, making it ideal for flying hot air balloons.
• Cultural tours - Adventure tours aren't just for thrill seeking. You can observe ancient architecture or get to know the aboriginal inhabitants.

With the face of Sri Lanka's tourism changing from exclusive beach getaways to adventure excursions, they are looking to make investments in thrill seeking activities.

Besides marine diving, mountain climbing, and hiking, the tourism ministry has announced plans to promote skydiving. While previously not a prominent activity in Sri Lanka, the introduction of recreations like hot air ballooning, makes skydiving an ideal sport to elevate their adventure tourism.

Previously, the country's primary focus has been on the quantity of tourists they could attract, without having much consideration for the quality of the services provided. However, moving forward, the country aims to prioritize quality over quantity.

The tourism ministry is planning to position Sri Lanka as the perfect destination for affordable luxury by enhancing the standard of services and offering a variety of adventures for tourists. The country wants to increase the average tourist spending from $200 to $250, to at least $400 by bringing in adventurous activities.

You must be wondering, with so many countries offering adventure travel, why Sri Lanka?

Even though there are several adventure destinations, very few can match the opportunity to check off multiple bucket list activities in a single day. Due to the country's size and geography, you can enjoy hiking in the morning and whale watching in the evening, all in one day!

Another advantage is the favorable currency exchange rates. Just because a destination has many adventurous options, doesn't mean they come cheap. You can expect to have many adventures without breaking the bank.

In addition, Sri Lanka's rich cultural heritage gives great opportunities for immersive cultural tours, including exploring their traditions and culinary cuisines.

If you are a wildlife enthusiast or traveler ready to explore this island nation, contact Arabiers, for unforgettable tours.