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Sanjeewa Supul
Miranda Marini
ENGL 1100-02
15th June 2023
Challenges and opportunities of Sri Lanka to be one of the most popular tropical Asian
destinations for Nature-based tourism.
For centuries, in many travel-related documents, Sri Lanka was described as the pearl of
the Indian Ocean, a country famous for its blend of sandy beaches stretching along the coastal
line, historical wonders spanning over a couple of millennia, exuberant diverse culture,
enchanting natural beauty, and ecological abundance. Yet, the true charm of Sri Lanka resides
within its people, whose warm smiles and genuine hospitality will make tourists feel like they
belong from the moment they arrive. Tourism has been one of the pivotal contributors to the Sri
Lankan economy. However, the tourism industry in the country was crippled because of the
devastating Easter bomb attack that took place in April 2019. Furthermore, in the latter part of
2019, due to the emergence of the COVID-19 pandemic, the industry had to deal with another
significant blow. The annual statistical report of the Sri Lanka Tourism Board shows that in 2018
prior to the drastic events, approximately US $ 4.3 billion was earned in foreign exchange
through tourism, which contributed to 4.9 % of the Gross Domestic Production (GDP) of the
country ("2018 Annual Statistical Report" 5). It also helped to generate over 350,000 direct and
indirect employment opportunities ("2018 Annual Statistical Report" 5). According to a report of
the Center for responsible travel “With the expanding demand for nature-related experiences, it
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has been estimated that nature-based tourism accounts for about 20% of the global tourism
market” which is just one among the diverse range of tourism options that Sri Lanka offers (qtd.
in Perera et al. 237). Moreover, as per the statement of the World Health Organization made in
the first week of May 2023, the COVID-19 pandemic is no longer considered a global health
emergency, and therefore the global tourism sector can expect a boom. Perera et al. in their
article say that recently, a notable increase is witnessed in the popularity of Sri Lanka as a naturebased tourism destination in major markets (237). Therefore, this essay explores the
opportunities through which nature-based tourism can establish and elevate Sri Lanka as one of
the most favored tropical Asian tourist destinations while negating the adverse impacts of the
challenges.
Capitalizing on a variety of factors such as geographical location, climate conditions,
biodiversity, diverse flora and fauna, rich historical and cultural heritage, and cost advantage
tourism industry in Sri Lanka can promote nature-based tourism. Sri Lanka is a small island in
the Indian Ocean that encompasses a land area of approximately 65,000 square kilometers
(Sumanapala and Wolf 297), yet, its topography is diverse, encompassing mountains such as the
Knuckles Mountain Range and Adam's Peak, coastal plains like Arugambe, Hikkaduwa, and
Mirissa, plateaus, and valleys like Horton Plains, which provide picturesque landscapes and
unique opportunities for Nature-based tourism. Sri Lanka is positioned in a pivotal geographic
location in the Indian Ocean just below the Indian subcontinent that enables it not only to play a
significant role in sea trade but also to serve as a crucial intersection for major maritime routes
connecting the Middle East, Europe, Africa, and Southeast Asia enabling access through sea
cruises. On top of that, the country’s rich cultural heritage, ancient ruins, and vibrant traditions
provide unique experiences for tourists, enriching its charm as a nature-based tourism
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destination. UNESCO World Heritage sites such as Anuradhapura, Polonnaruwa, Sigiriya,
Dambulla, and Kandy with their well-preserved ruins and sacred temples, offer tourists a glimpse
into the country's rich historical and cultural heritage and provide a deep connection to the
country’s past and cultural identity influenced by Buddhism, Hinduism, and colonial periods.
Cost advantages also play a significant role in promoting Sri Lanka as a top tropical nature-based
tourism destination in Asia. In comparison to most of the other popular Asian destinations like
Malaysia, Thailand and Maldives, accommodation options such as guesthouses, budget hotels,
homestays, nature-based activities, and attractions are priced reasonably allowing cost-conscious
travelers to reserve comfortable and affordable places to stay and explore the country's natural
attractions without compromising the quality of the tour. Therefore, by promoting nature-based
tourism, Sri Lanka can attract a wider range of tourists such as eco-tourists, nature lovers, and
adventure seekers. This diversification helps Sri Lanka to expand its overall tourist base, which
is eventually beneficial to the economy and society of the country in ways such as the
development of infrastructure, job creation, and an increase in foreign income generation.
Notwithstanding the above, it is also important to acknowledge the various challenges
that exist within the nature-based tourism sector. The key challenge was the COVID-19
pandemic and the economic crisis that followed the pandemic. In an article by Newsome, it was
described how the measures implemented in view of containing the spread of COVID-19
resulted in an abrupt halt to the tourism industry globally and how it affected the Sri Lankan
tourism industry. (qtd. in Perera et al. 235). In another article, Khandre described how the
pandemic led to an economic crisis and recession that further impacted the nature-based tourism
sector (qtd. in Perera et al. 235). The article of Perera et al. providing a more detailed perspective
described the extent of the impact to different sections such as “… protected area management
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capacity, budgets, and the conservation efforts of many natural area jurisdictions …” (235). In
addition to the havoc created by the pandemic that ended in an economic crisis, the
environmental degradation and wildlife disturbance caused by nature-based tourism, are the
other two main challenges that Sri Lanka needs to address. Excessive motorized activities such
as wild safaris jeeps, whale watching boats, and the use of water skiing in protected or sensitive
areas cause degradation of the natural habitat. According to miththapala, it was evident that to
satisfy their customers’ safari jeep drivers are more often compelled to drive at higher speeds and
venture off the designated areas posing a potential risk of colliding with wild animals and
destroying their natural habitats. (qtd. in Perera et al. 239). Consequently, as mentioned by the
same author, when wild animals are familiarized with the presence of humans, they may no
longer identify these vehicles or humans as threats which may lead to risky attractions. (Perera et
al. 239)
Despite tourism contributing to enhancing the overall social and economic status of
the country, Sri Lanka must focus on its commitment to safeguarding the natural environment for
future generations. One way to achieve it is by promoting sustainable tourism practices that
minimize any adverse impacts on the environment and place a high priority on safeguarding and
ensuring the long-term preservation of natural resources. Considering the increase in the influx
of nature-based tourists, it is advisable to encourage responsible behavior among tourists,
promote community-based projects that empower local communities, and improve awareness
among related stakeholders in the industry about the significance of responsible tourism. The
aforementioned actions would effectively promote nature-based tourism in a manner that
maximizes its benefits while safeguarding the country's natural and cultural heritage for present
and future generations.
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Against the backdrop of the challenges posed by the Easter bomb attack and the impact
of the economic crisis and COVID-19 pandemic on the tourism industry, tourism has been a
pivotal contributor to the country's economic growth. The geographical location, biodiversity,
rich history, diverse cultural heritage, and cost advantages make the immense potential for
nature-based tourism and make Sri Lanka an attractive tropical nature-based tourist destination
for tourists seeking unique and enriching experiences. However, Sri Lanka can mitigate the
negative impacts on the environment and ensure the preservation of its natural resources for
future generations while leveraging these opportunities to drive infrastructure development,
create employment opportunities, and generate foreign exchange. It is also worth noting that
nature-based tourism can bring long-term benefits to Sri Lanka through the adoption of
sustainable tourism practices, promotion of responsible behavior among tourists, and engaging
local communities which ultimately benefits the environment, economy, and society.
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Works Cited
Perera, Priyan, et al. “Challenges and Opportunities for the Resumption of Nature Tourism in
Post-Pandemic Sri Lanka.” International Journal of Geoheritage and Parks, vol. 11, no.
2, June 2023, pp. 234–46. EBSCOhost, https://doiorg.ezproxy.tru.ca/10.1016/j.ijgeop.2023.03.001. Accessed 15 Jun 2023.
"Region wise tourism performance 2013-2018." Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority,n.d.,
https://sltda.gov.lk/storage/documents/47c0dbe628b80245e0bf95dad28be160.pdf.
Accessed 15 Jun 2023.
Sumanapala, Daminda, and Isabelle D. Wolf. “Think Globally, Act Locally: Current
Understanding and Future Directions for Nature-Based Tourism Research in Sri
Lanka.” Journal of Hospitality and Tourism Management, vol. 45, Dec. 2020, pp. 295–
308. EBSCOhost, https://doi-org.ezproxy.tru.ca/10.1016/j.jhtm.2020.08.009. Accessed
15 Jun 2023.
"2018 Annual Statistical Report." Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority,
2018, https://www.sltda.gov.lk/storage/common_media/Tourist%20Board%20Annual%
20Statistical%20Report%202018_Web784216427.pdf. Accessed 15 Jun 2023.