PAVING A PATH FOR TOURISM

Prashanthi Cooray uncovers cracks in Sri Lanka’s tourism infrastructure

Sri Lanka’s tourism industry is experiencing a remarkable resurgence. Last year, the industry generated US$ 3.2 billion in revenue, marking a 53 percent increase from 2023.

Tourist arrivals have also seen a steady rise with over 720,000 foreign visitors arriving in the first quarter of 2025 alone. This growth has generated optimism within the industry and reinforced confidence in meeting the ambitious target of three million tourist arrivals by the end of the year.

However, despite these promising numbers, Sri Lanka’s tourist sites face major infrastructural challenges with many attractions plagued by outdated and inadequate facilities that hinder the visitor experience.

For example, Sigiriya – a UNESCO World Heritage site recently named the World’s Most Welcoming City for 2025 by Booking.com and honoured as a green destination at the ITB Berlin tourism fair – is grappling with serious deficiencies.

The lack of proper medical facilities, safety measures, transport links and amenities undermine the visitor experience, and prevent Sigiriya from fully capitalising on its global recognition. These issues also deter tourists seeking world-class facilities, particularly considering the premium ticket prices charged at these locations.

A recent tragic incident, where a British tourist died after suffering a cardiac arrest while climbing the rock fortress, highlighted these infrastructure gaps. The absence of on-site first aid services or trained medical staff has contributed to the deaths of many foreign tourists and local guides over the years.

Other risks associated with the strenuous climb – including wasp attacks, dehydration, allergies and even snakebites – highlight the need for improved medical preparedness. In addition, concerns such as wild elephants in the area and the lack of emergency transportation options have raised alarms about visitor safety.

The country’s road infrastructure also poses a challenge to tourism development. While tourist routes such as the Southern Expressway and the ongoing Central Expressway project reduce travel times, many roads leading to more rural destinations like Habarana, Trincomalee, Anuradhapura and Nuwara Eliya remain rough and poorly maintained.

The lack of proper signage and road markings makes navigation difficult for foreign visitors and congestion in tourist hotspots like Colombo, Galle and Kandy are a concern – especially during peak seasons.

Well maintained roads are crucial for improving accessibility and attracting high value tourists. Improved connectivity between tourist destinations also means that local businesses stand to benefit through the increased visitor numbers, thereby driving economic growth.

Sri Lanka’s public transport system presents yet another obstacle for the island’s tourism industry. Buses and trains are often overcrowded and uncomfortable, discouraging many from exploring the island. Meanwhile Southeast Asian competitors like Thailand offer modern and comfortable transport options which make Sri Lanka’s archaic infrastructure a major disadvantage in comparison.

To address these issues, the president has called for immediate improvements in infrastructure and services to ensure that Sri Lanka not only attracts visitors but also offers them a safe and seamless experience.

The government has allocated Rs. 500 million in its recent budget towards infrastructure development, industry promotion and the introduction of digital ticketing systems to enhance the visitor experience. Meanwhile, plans are underway to establish emergency treatment units and necessary first aid facilities at tourist destinations including Sigiriya.

International financial institutions, including the Asian Development Bank (ADB), are supporting infrastructure upgrades and projects such as the expansion of Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA) are progressing to accommodate rising passenger traffic.

So although Sri Lanka’s tourism industry is treading a promising growth trajectory, infrastructure development remains the need of the hour.

These concerted efforts and more – for instance, public-private partnerships (PPPs) – could play a role in closing the infrastructure gap, improving the overall visitor experience, attracting a higher number of tourists and eventually consoli­dating Sri Lanka’s position as a leading tourist destination.