The South-Asian island was chosen for the top spot in the guidebook publisher’s annual Best in Travel Awards.
Better transport links, new hotels and a growing number of activities were some of the reasons cited by the guidebook on why it is a must travel destination.
Offering ‘unmissable experiences’ such as the 300-strong elephant gathering at Minneriya National Park, and thousand-year-old Buddhist monuments, Sri Lanka is notable to intrepid travelers for its mix of religions and cultures, its timeless temples, its rich and accessible wildlife.
With the new developments brought to the travel system, tourist visits to Sri Lanka have increased dramatically from 447,890 in 2009 to an all-time high of 2.1 million last year. This is a figure the Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority hopes to double by 2020.
From homestays to high-end eco retreats – such as the Wild Coast Lodge’s cocoon-like buildings in Yala national park, a huge investment has been made to increase the ratio of tourists. Major international hotel chains, including Shangri-La, Mövenpick, Sheraton, and Grand Hyatt, are also opening new properties in this location.
