By TON Sri Lanka

As tourism is a vector of development and influence so the governments of the state try to coordinate planning with national development objectives. Similarly in Sri Lanka, a post-war country, tourism has been perceived as a tool for post-war reconstruction and reconciliation. According to a blueprint document; the ‘Sri Lankan Tourism Development Strategy 2011-2016’, whose objectives are to distribute national economic benefits through tourism to economic development and national social cohesion, is guiding tourism development and conciliation in Sri-Lanka.
Sri Lanka is an island country Located close to the Southern part of India, blessed with natural beauty consisting of tropical forests, fine biodiversity and varied landscapes, culture and heritage, making it a compact tourism destination. Sri Lanka is also a multicultural island of many ethnicities, religions and languages. The ethnic distribution of Sri Lanka as per census (2011) consists of Buddhist Singhalese majority (82%), a large minority of Sri Lankan Tamils (4.3%), Indian Tamil (5.1%), Muslim Moors (7.9%) and smaller communities of Malays (0.3 %), Burghers (0.2%) and others (0.2%).
Two years, after the war ended in 2009, a Blueprint document was published by the government in 2011. The ‘Sri Lankan Tourism Development Strategy 2011 – 2016’, a five year master plan, wherein the following key areas have been identified and approved by the cabinet as necessary for tourism development: the policy framework, the Zilmiyah Kamble and Frederic Bouchon / Procedia – Social and Behavioral Sciences 144 (2014) 229 – 236 231 infrastructure, service standards, right market segments and the potential of cultural, medical and agro tourism or in words diverse niche tourism. The tourism development strategy document stressed the need to attract the right kind of tourists and poverty alleviation through equal distribution spatially, socially and ethnically. The document derives from vision and philosophy of the larger national development strategy vision developed by the controversial president (President Mahinda Rajapaksha) and called the ‘Mahinda Chintana’ literally meaning Mahinda’s Vision in the Singhalese Language. However, according to Sri Lankan Tourism Development Strategy, 2011, Sri Lanka observed 8% economic growth in 2010 and increased tourist arrivals, prompting the identification and recognition of the tourism Sector as one of the main sectors driving the country’s economic progress.
The close neighbor of Sri-Lanka is India which has great interests in Sri-Lanka and further it is assisting Sri-lanka in trade activities and tourism enhancement. Indian tourists had been the largest source of income for the Sri Lankan market in the first eight months of 2022. In July, 6,031 Indian citizens travelled to Sri Lanka, which dipped to 5,340 in August. . Meanwhile, recently India has extended $4 billion in soft loans and currency swaps to keep the Sri Lankan economy afloat. At the same time, Sri Lanka has to undertake delicate negotiations with China for restructuring its debt as part of discussions with all its foreign creditors. This agreement on debt restructuring is essential before the International Monetary Fund starts to disburse its $2.9 billion loan to Colombo.
Indians topped the list of foreign arrivals to the country even in July – a month which saw mass protests over the economy reach their climax with President Gotabaya Rajapaksa dramatically fleeing the country after the storming of the presidential palace. Prime Minister Ranil Wickreme singh replaced him as president after getting support from ruling party members.
After the July 18 incident, the Indian high commission tweeted advice for Indian nationals in Sri Lanka to remain “aware of latest developments and accordingly plan their movements and activities”.in a report of an article in a Sri Lankan newspaper it was stated that speculation that the assault may have been due to rumors that India had tried to help former President Gotabaya Rajapaksa to leave the country. India had categorically denied facilitating Rajapaksa’s travel after he left for the Maldives on a military aircraft on July 13. Whereas, The 20% drop in tourists to the cash-strapped country has functioned as a quick demonstration of New Delhi’s use of economic leverage to express unhappiness over Sri Lanka’s handling of the Chinese vessel’s docking There have been no other public reports of any other incidents of harassment of Indian nationals, whether residents or tourists. Moreover Sri Lanka planed to tap Indian tourists to revive the South Asian Island’s battered tourism sector and shore up its depleted foreign exchange reserves.
In addition to the incident of july 18, the new crisis that hit tourism however are not just security issues unlike before. It is a national economic problem with non-availability of essentials such as food, fuel, gas, medicines etc. that was disrupting everything. Hotel operations were immensely difficult to sustain, and the quality of product and service offering was also deteriorating. So with the relative easing of some of the ground issues such as the availability of fuel and gas supplies, most of the concerns that visitors had about Sri Lanka, are now fast diminishing. Many adverse travel advisories by countries have also now been relaxed. Consequently occupancies in most hotels are showing a marked upward trend. Up to July this year arrivals have reached almost 459,000 up from 194,495 last year at this time.
Besides this, all was only causing inconvenience to tourists. There are absolutely no issues with security in Sri-Lanka Actually the few tourists who are around, only felt sorry for Sri Lankans, but enjoyed their holidays all the same. With strong interest and new bookings filtering in, it is expected that the winter 2022 season will be reasonably good for Sri Lanka, and it is estimated that we will reach about 1 m visitors by the end of the year.
Sri-Lankan authorities for the development of tourism and reconciliation, will hold road shows starting next month in five Indian cities to attract travelers seeking “wellness, leisure, and Ramayana-trail,” tours, corporate functions and destination weddings, said Harin Fernando, the South Asian Island’s tourism minister. Ramayana is the mythological life story of the Hindu god Ram.
Sri-Lanka is an important state in the south Asian region in context to tourism. The tourism spot is hihly important for the GDPP growth for Sri-Lanka and well off for the country. Initially it has been remained a great point of attraction for the tourists and foreigners as well. It has earned much more and raised its economy before it was pushed into the economic crises. Arrivals dropped to very low levels due to the ongoing economic and political crisis. But, in the contemporary, Sri-Lankan authorities are doing their best for restoring their old values. It is expected that Sri-Lanka will reach about 1 m visitors by the end of the year which is very positive gesture for the Sri-Lankan tourism restoration.