Do you dare to travel to Sri Lanka? We get that question sometimes, and it feels pretty obvious to answer right now. Absolutely! Tourism has started again and we have friends who have been to the country just recently. I (Helena) was at the Sri Lankan embassy yesterday, where I listened to the ambassador and ate a good Sri Lankan buffet.
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Evening at the Sri Lankan Embassy
Sri Lanka's ambassador to Stockholm, Senadheera Sudantha Ganegama Arachchi, gave an introductory presentation last night and then we listened to representatives of the airline Emirates, which flies to Sri Lanka. Our blog colleague Christian, from Food and travel blog, also told us briefly about her trip to Sri Lanka with her family this summer. Then there was a mingle and buffet with Sri Lankan food.
Tough period for tourism
Tourism was booming in Sri Lanka when the country was hit by a nasty terrorist attack by extremists last spring. The country suffered severely from the attack and tourism slowed down dramatically. In May, tourism decreased by more than 70 per cent compared to the same period last year. It's tough! Those of us who have relatively recently been to Sri Lanka couldn't help but wonder what happened to all the small hotels, guesthouses, restaurants and drivers, who were perhaps already struggling to make ends meet.
Is it safe to travel to Sri Lanka now?
The MFA's advice against travelling to Sri Lanka was already lifted at the beginning of the summer, as security had improved. The security situation is now back to normal, and security at airports and hotels, for example, has been increased. Do people dare to travel to Sri Lanka now? Yes, travelling to Sri Lanka is safe and secure. Of course, there are always some risks associated with travelling (or going out of the door) and it is always wise to check the current security situation at Sweden Abroad.
Free visa to Sri Lanka
Following the decline in tourism, Sri Lanka has decided, among other things, to offer free visas to visitors from 48 different countries, including Sweden. Some newspapers have written that you do not need a visa, but that is not true. You have to apply for a visa as before, but you don't have to pay for it.
Why should you travel to Sri Lanka?
We visited Sri Lanka in winter 2018/2019, and this is a country we really fell in love with. Travelling in Sri Lanka is varied and exciting and you can mix and match between wildlife, culture and beach life. Here are ten reasons to travel to Sri Lanka:
- The amazing wildlife
- Safari and river safari
- Lion Mountain Sigiriya
- Beaches and surfing
- The world's most beautiful railway and tea gardens
- The temples in Anuradhapura, Kandy and Dambulla
- The beautiful city of Galle
- Cheap and cosy hotels
- The exotic food
- Meetings with people
Have you been to Sri Lanka, or have you thought about travelling there?
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Minett says:
The radio programme Radio Correspondents discusses Sri Lanka and how the country's tourism has been affected by the terrorist attacks. Interesting radio programme. The radio programme is called: About tourism - TV series, terror and bullfighting.
https://sverigesradio.se/sida/avsnitt/1345202?programid=2946
05 September 2019 - 6:26
Helena says:
Interesting! Thank you very much for the tips!
05 September 2019 - 13:25
Travelsis says:
Went to Sri Lanka a few years ago when tourism was really on the rise. The beaches and Ella became our favourites. Ella's nature, fresh air and mountains were fantastic? I really hope for Sri Lanka's sake (and everyone else too, of course!) that they get tourism back and that there are no more attacks.
05 September 2019 - 7:50
Helena says:
Yes, of course it is nice! I agree that the nature around Ella was nice! And things can happen anywhere in the world, and usually it is in new places every time ...
05 September 2019 - 13:28
Ditte says:
Surely you dare to travel here. Absolutely! Have been here a couple of times, including a longer period when we adopted our daughters in 1981. have since been back and there may be a trip here with daughters, grandchildren and others in the autumn or winter.
05 September 2019 - 9:08
Helena says:
Yes, but I understand that! 🙂 What fun if you get away on a trip with children and grandchildren!
05 September 2019 - 13:28
Ama de casa says:
I really liked Sri Lanka! But I haven't been there since 1981... Maybe it's time again now that I am "free" 😉.
05 September 2019 - 16:33
BP says:
I really hope that tourism to Sri Lanka will start again. The people there seem to be so incredibly nice and tourist friendly.
It's strange: when there are terrorist attacks in Paris and London, you don't read about warnings and reduced tourism, but when it comes to Sri Lanka... Unfair!
05 September 2019 - 21:04
Lena - gott för själen says:
I have never been to Sri Lanka, but it has always been a possible destination. I'm the kind of person who trusts the authorities' security checks, so I would definitely dare to travel there.
Hug Lena
06 September 2019 - 6:09
Emilie - Travels by Knutte says:
Haven't been there yet but have been on the road a few times. Have ended up with the route being too long and I have not known what to cut to get the best out of two weeks. 🙂 But sometime so!
07 September 2019 - 19:50