28, Mar, 2024

News

The Government has launched a programme to transform Arugam Bay into a worldwide destination for windsurfing. “The Government will not only have promotional campaigns worldwide for Arugam Bay as a tourism and windsurfing destination but also have training sessions for the sport and international competitions as well,” Tourism Minister Prasanna […]

With the mission to popularize the Safe & Secure Bio Travel Bubble Process and rich tourism product diversity available to offer, Sri Lanka Tourism (SLTPB) welcomed popular Food Travel YouTube channel “Chopstick Travel” (Link: https://www.youtube.com/user/ToastWithJim) from 16th April 2021 to 9th May 2021) . Destination Sri Lanka will be featured in […]

The very first eco-friendly luxury boutique resort in Colombo made its debut when Waters Edge recommenced the construction of the much-anticipated 48-room project.  With its intriguing design, smart-tech features and eco-friendly sustainable structure and operational strategy, the resort style establishment is set to become a vibrant business-resort for locals and […]

Dhammika Wijesinghe, Director General of the Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority (SLTDA) says that foreign tourists visiting the island will be able to travel under the Biosafety Bubble System according to health guidelines. She said the Director General of Health and the Inspector General of Police (IGP) have been informed […]

As consumer expectations change, the tourism industry is focused on promoting experiences, like outdoor and wellness activities, to attract international tourists. Tanya Beckett talks to Kimarli Fernando, Chairperson for Sri Lanka Tourism on how are shifting priorities reshaping the industry? Source: Sri Lanka Travel

Sri Lanka Tourism held a virtual press conference for the German and Swiss media explaining Sri Lankas’ updated travel opportunities and current health protocols for incoming tourists. The virtual media conference was attended by twenty key media personalities which included key German television channels, editors from German travel magazines, reporters […]

The Visiting Travel Blogger and Journalist Programme is an annual project which Sri Lanka Tourism hosts in order to diversify and spread the visitation of foreign travellers and also generate income for micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) in Sri Lanka. Speaking to Visiting Travel Blogger and Journalist Programme Assistant […]

Colombo’s up and coming Heritage Square is set to also include both the current Criminal Investigation Department (CID) headquarters and Foreign Ministry buildings, due to their historical value and architecture. The initiative is looking to relocate both organisations to new locations, while using their old buildings as tourist sites within […]

With airports resuming, Sri Lanka targets one million tourist arrivals in 2021 as it has eased entry restrictions for tourists who are vaccinated, The Morning Business learns. Speaking to The Morning Business, Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority (SLTDA) Director General Dhammika Wijesinghe said that despite targeting 800,000 tourist arrivals for 2021, the first quarter […]

Eco Team has achieved another ‘first’ in the Sri Lankan tourism domain by being the first and only Tented Safari Camp operator to receive approval by the Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority as Level 1-certified ‘Safe and Secure’ accommodations. Eco Team Safari Camps offer safari experiences under the Level 1 […]

Currently the Sri Lanka tourism industry has impacted dramatically by the Covid 19 pandemic. Hence the Bachelor of Hospitality and Tourism Management (hons) Degree students of the Management and Science University (MSU) has taken a step in contributing towards recovering of tourism industry in Sri Lanka. Management and Science University […]

The Sri Lanka Bureau of Foreign Employment (SLBFE) has handpicked 14 hotels throughout the island to accommodate 30,000 migrant workers who will be repatriated under a new scheme, DailyNews Newspaper reported. Last week under a revised quarantine regulations programme, the Government reduced its compulsory quarantine period for migrant workers from […]

Vietnam’s new Ambassador to Sri Lanka Ho Thi Thanh Truc had presented credentials to President Gotabaya Rajapaksa, promising to boost investment, tourism and trade. President Rajapaksa had invited Vietnam to explore and take advantage of the investment opportunities in the Sri Lankan economy, pointing out that trade and tourism industries […]

The Health Ministry today announced quarantine measures for travellers arriving in Sri Lanka from overseas during the COVID-19 pandemic. The new quarantine measures have been introduced for Sri Lankan citizens/ dual citizens and foreign nationals, and tourists arriving from overseas via Sri Lanka tourism. It also includes instructions for vaccinated […]

themorning.lkA total of 27 flights are currently operating to and from Sri Lanka since the opening of the borders to all international tourists on 21 January 2021, according to (Retd.) Maj. Gen. G.A. Chandrasiri. Speaking to The Sunday Morning, Chandrasiri said that the flights operating include SriLankan Airlines, Qatar Airways, China […]

Sri Lanka is getting about 1,000 passengers a day including tourists and returning residents after airports formally opened in January with the bulk of tourist traffic coming to Mattala airport, an official said. A planned ‘air-bubble’ with India and vaccination progress around the world will help boost the aviation sector, […]

Emirates yesterday announced it would increase its services to Colombo from four to six weekly flights – with a fifth weekly flight commencing 18 February (every Thursday) and a sixth weekly flight commencing 27 February (every Saturday). The two additional services will serve market demand and offer customers enhanced connectivity […]

Sri Lankan Airlines flight took off from Frankfurt to Colombo on 21st January 2021 with a group of tourists from Germany and Switzerland. Sri Lanka Ambassador  Her Excellency  Manori Unambuwa along with other officials hailed the group in Frankfurt which was an encouragement for Germans to visit SL. This visit  […]

Ayurvie Weligama, a Theme Resorts & Spa’s property, welcomed the first familiarization tour of the tourism restart. The German delegation compromising of Ms. Claudia Wagner, Managing Director & Mr. Uwe Endres, Head of Ayurveda – Fitreisen Group, Mr. Markus Hegemann, Managing Director – NEUE WEGE Bewusst Reisen and journalists Hans-Jorg […]

We are delighted to announce that Columbus Tours Sri Lanka has received the “Safe & Secure” Tourism Certification of Compliance, which is audited & certified by KPMG & Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority (SLTDA). SLTDA in coordination with KPMG Sri Lanka formulated the safety protocols in consultation with stakeholders in […]

A total of seven airlines have so far announced plans to operate scheduled flights once the airport reopens on 21 January, a top official said. The international airlines are Emirates, Qatar Airways, Etihad, Turkish Airlines, Singapore Airlines, Kuwait Airlines and Oman Airlines. However, the Civil Aviation Authority official said these […]

The Government yesterday introduced 12 hotspots for foreign travellers to visits during their stay in the country, whilst directing officials to strictly adhere to the health and safety protocols outlined. Tourism Minister Prasanna Ranatunga in a special meeting yesterday directed officials to take immediate action to prevent a recurrence of […]

England’s cricket team arrive at the Mattala Rajapaksa International Airport yesterday as the team returned to Sri Lanka to play two Tests abandoned in March 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic – AFP In a boost for sports and tourism, English cricket team arrives for two Test match series A special […]

Sri Lankan authorities have decided to increase the number of PCR tests conducted daily in the country to identify the COVID-19 infected to facilitate overseas arrivals. Minister of Tourism Prasanna Ranatunga chaired a special discussion at the Ministry today (29) to expedite the repatriation of Sri Lankans and to increase […]

Top-level meeting headed by BR decides to release framework  Industry welcomes Govt. effort to resume tourism Mandatory stay period may be made flexible  Only preapproved hotels allowed to take bookings at 75% capacity   The much-awaited health guidelines for tourists are expected to be made public today after weeks-long, multiple rounds […]

Says no official declaration of border opening in Russia, Ukraine, Kazakhstan published  Russia-based tour operators have sought categorical assurance and a formal announcement from the Government on several relaxed rules to travel to Sri Lanka under a proposed pilot project set to start this weekend. They claimed to date there […]

SLTDA initiative to review existing zones and improve management  Aims to develop zones with local and foreign investment  Discussion at Parliamentary Consultative Committee to use tourism to improve socio-economic development   Inputs required before 31 Jan. The Government has sought fresh input from industry stakeholders to identify new tourism zones throughout […]

# High-powered meeting addresses need to increase PCR testing capacity to accommodate influx of tourists and Lankans from overseas  A high-level discussion chaired by Presidential Task Force on Economic Revival and Poverty Eradication Chairman Basil Rajapaksa yesterday resolved a few more issues, including the need to increase PCR capacity towards […]

Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA) one of the apex bodies in Global Tourism, teamed up with GIZ to organize a virtual training program via Zoom for Sri Lanka Tourism on four days including 12, 13, 24 and 25 November 2020. Sri Lanka’s long standing proud membership induced PATA’s collaboration with […]

The Army’s  Security Force Headquarters-East (SFHQ-East) planted 100,000 seedlings of rare species in the Eastern Province within a single day as the prevailing rainy season conveniently offers a healthy environment to succeed the campaign. The Army stated that the Forest Department allocated state-owned forest areas for the campaign and further  […]

President says resumption of tourism industry could be agreed upon health advice, proper protocols Joint Tourism and Health Committee discussions to be concluded soon, final recommendations to be submitted to Ministers-in-charge  Joint Tourism and Health Committee has been directed to submit their final recommendations by the end of this week […]

SriLankan Airlines, the National Carrier of Sri Lanka and a member of the oneworld alliance has won the prestigious ‘World’s Leading Airline to the Indian Ocean’ title once again at the World Travel Awards Grand Final held in Moscow. SriLankan Airlines’ Chairman Ashok Pathirage said the latest accolade demonstrates the […]

Minister of Tourism Prasanna Ranatunga stated that plans have been made to open the airport in accordance with the COVID guidelines enabling foreign tourists to enter the country and it can be done so as soon as it is approved by the health authorities. Accordingly, the Minister disclosed that a […]

Travel from any country permitted for minimum stay of 14 days Influx of daily travellers limited to maximum of 300 with priority for citizen repatriation All international airlines will be allowed with prior approval from COVID-19 Taskforce and CAA Permit visa for long-stay travellers, dual passport holders, resident permit holders, […]

In Sri Lanka, we are seeing an increase in wildlife in the national parks due to the lockdown. Sri Lanka Tourism has been broadcasting live from our wildlife parks on YouTube and we have been busy observing the wildlife around our property. W15 Hanthana Estate near Kandy is a heaven for […]

Sri Lanka as a global tourism hot spot is forging ahead embracing innovation, promoting change, touched by the trends of collaboration over competition, moved by authentic storytelling with a global perspective, is in the thick of shaping the future of tourism. Sri Lanka Tourism Chairperson Kimarli Fernando spoke on Sri […]

Wildlife safari live-streaming concept introduced by Sri Lanka Tourism has gathered tremendous interest and enthusiasm not only by domestic travellers but also by potential overseas travellers. First episodes covering Minneriya and Kaudulla National Parks have created over 100,000 impressions on social media and close to 800 comments. “We have had […]

Certification will include unique QR code to check information, prevent companies producing fake documentation and allow consumers to report any violation of guidelines 35 more hotels in Central Province, Eastern Province and North Central Province will be assessed in next 2 weeks Drop in original number of applicants as hotels […]

Sri Lanka Convention Bureau (SLCB), functioning under the Ministry of Tourism with the mandate to promote Sri Lanka as a destination for the international MICE events (Meetings/Incentive Travel/Conferences/Exhibitions) has launched a new MICE promotional video. Due to the effect of the global COVID-19 pandemic, majority of the conventions, meetings and […]

Sri Lanka Tourism Promotions Bureau (SLTPB) conducted a series of Webinars for key markets in collaboration with the Sri Lanka High Commissions overseas, main associations of Sri Lanka and the private sector to keep key tourism stakeholders updated on the current situation in Sri Lanka and to obtain feedback from […]

Destination Sri Lanka is held high in the minds of the global traveler community as a ‘hotspot’ teeming with an unbelievable diversity of attractions far beyond its cute proportions. Literally its comparable to an entire huge continent’s worth of resources, all packed in to a tiny landmass with the added […]

Continuing with its destination promotion despite the Covid 19 pandemic across the globe, the Sri Lankan Embassy in Austria, in collaboration with the Sri Lanka Tourism Promotion Bureau (SLTPB), held another destination promotional event titled ‘’ Flavours of Sri Lanka’’, depicting Sri Lanka’s traditional cuisine at the Helden Restaurant, Welt […]

Sri Lanka Tourism is working with the Sri Lankan Missions Overseas, through collaborations, with the intension of coordinated and targeted tourism promotions in the new normal. In this context, visit to Sri Lanka Tourism by H.E. Dr. Palitha Kohona, the newly appointed Sri Lankan Ambassador to China was very much […]

Sri Lanka Tourism and the Vocational Training Authority (VTA) signed an agreement last week to train drivers involved in the tourism industry, which will enable training programs to be conducted island-wide to tourist drivers to enhance their skills and get suitable employment opportunities both locally and overseas. Tourist drivers play […]

Graze Kitchen, Hilton Colombo is dishing out an entire Japanese spread for lunch this Sunday 26 July featuring Sushi, Okonomiyaki, Teriyaki, Katsu, Teppanyaki and Tempura to name a few. A range of Japanese desserts like Mochi, Dorayaki, Hokkaido tarts and the like will be available to finish off the exotic […]

The Government is reportedly working on procedures to be implemented following the reopening of the Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA) in Katunayake. Chairman of the Airport and Aviation Services (Sri Lanka) Ltd (AASL) G. A. Chandrasiri said they hope to finalize the necessary procedures required for the reopening of the BIA […]

Safety will be our topmost concern when we can travel again. However, with a constant change in COVID-19 cases, it may be challenging to track which countries are safe to visit. To enable travellers to identify these countries, the World Travel and Tourism Council is now certifying countries with a ‘Safe Travels’ […]