Tourism in Sri Lanka

Tourism is one of the main industries in Sri Lanka. Major tourist attractions are focused around the islands famous beaches located in the southern and eastern parts of the country, ancient heritage sites located in the interior of the country and lush green resorts located in the mountainous regions of the country. [ [http://www.iht.com/articles/2005/07/06/bloomberg/sxlanka.php Sri Lanka tourism revives slowly] , "International Herald Tribune"] [cite web|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/cricket/sri_v_eng_2003/travel_guide/default.stm|title=Sri Lanka tour guide|work=BBC Sport|accessdate=2008-06-03] The 2004 Indian Ocean Tsunami [cite news|url=http://edition.cnn.com/2005/TRAVEL/01/06/tsunami.travel/|title=Tsunami region seeks tourism boost|publisher=CNN|date=January 06, 2005] and the ongoing civil war have reduced tourist arrivals, however Sri Lanka received over half a million tourists in 2006. [ [http://www.economist.com/opinion/displaystory.cfm?story_id=9299003 A war strange as fiction] , "The Economist"]

Visitor attractions

Sri Lanka is home to six world heritage sites: Galle, Kandy, Sigiriya, Anuradhapura, Polonnaruva, and Dambulla cave temple. Sri Lanka's many beaches are often visited by tourists. The historical city of Colombo is considered as the "Commercial capitol of Sri Lanka" which attracts many tourists from Asian region to visit for businesses. National parks in Sri Lanka are also popular visitor attractions.

Precious stone mining

The precious stones such as rubies and sapphires frequently found in Ratnapura and its surrounding areas also a major tourist attraction in the countrycite news|url =http://science.nationalgeographic.com/science/enlarge/gem-mining.html| title =Gem Mining|publisher = National Geographic Society|date = 16 January, 2008] . The tourists are interested in precious stones also can visit Sri pada mountain, Sinharaja Forest Reserve, Uda Walawe National Park and Kitulgala (place of "The Bridge on the River Kwai" was filmed).

The Leading hotels

There are several five star hotels and international chain hotels like Hilton Hotels [cite web|url=http://www1.hilton.com/en_US/hi/hotel/COLHITW-Hilton-Colombo-hotel/index.do;jsessionid=C47F6414FBBA2F691EE4CB7E191FB93F.etc41?brand_id=HI&brand_directory=/en/hi/&xch=206789960,QKG5SPXDKR1KOCSGBI1MVCQ|title=Hilton Colombo hotel|work=Hilton Hotels Corporation|accessdate=2008-06-03] situated in the main city Colombo and outside also.

The five star hotels situated in Colombo are Cinnamon Grand (Formerly known as Hotel Oberio & Colombo Plaza), Ceylon Continental Hotel Colombo, Hilton Colombo, Hilton International, Holiday Inn, Hotel Galadari, Taj Samudra and Trans Asia Hotel.

The five star hotels outside Colombo as Earl's Regency - Kandy, Eden Hotel - Beruwala, Kandalama Hotel - Dambulla, Light House Hotel - Galle, Mahaweli Reach Hotel - Katugastota (Kandy), Taj Exotica - Bentota, test update - Ahangama and Triton Hotel - Ahungalle.

Also there are many four star and three star hotels situated around the country.

Tourism industry

The industry was effected by December 2004 Tsunami and the civil war in the country.

The International media reports published about the improvements in industry of January 2008 by 0.6% [cite news|url=http://www.reuters.com/article/latestCrisis/idUSCOL273589|title=Sri Lanka Jan tourist arrivals up 0.6 pct vs yr ago|publisher=Reuters|date=February 15, 2008] , March 2008 by 8.6% [cite news|url=http://www.reuters.com/article/asiaCrisis/idUSCOL25436|title=Sri Lanka March tourist arrivals up 8.6 pct yr/yr|publisher=Reuters|date=April 16, 2008] when comparing to last year's (2007) figures.

References

External links

* [http://www.srilankatourism.org/index.php Sri Lanka Tourist Board - Official Website]
*dmoz|Regional/Asia/Sri_Lanka/Travel_and_Tourism
*wikitravel|Sri Lanka