Sri Lanka among ‘3 Must-Visit Travel Destinations for Summer 2024’

Fishermen on stilts at the sunset, Sri Lanka GETTY

Sri Lanka has been recognised as one of the ‘3 Must — Visit Travel Destinations for Summer 2024’ by a specialist contributor to the prestigious Forbes magazine. 

Alongside Paros in Greece and Mauritius, Sri Lanka was highlighted for offering unique and compelling travel experiences.

“Sri Lanka, another island country floating in the Indian Ocean, is a land of verdant highlands and stunning beaches. Its appeal is a blend of surf and wellness cultures, similar to Bali before its boom in popularity and resulting over-tourism,” said an article contributed by travel and business professional Kathleen Peddicord in the Forbes magazine. 

It added that the island nation is praised for its blend of surf and wellness cultures, with numerous centres for yoga, reiki and breath-work emerging in recent years; with notable wellness retreats such as Kalukanda House and Anantara Peace Haven Tangalle Resort which offer luxury accommodations combined with holistic health practices.

“Sri Lanka is a place for nature lovers, home to 22 national parks, Its Mountains and thick, subtropical jungles support a wide variety of plant and animal species. Visitors catch glimpses of elephants, otters, sloth bears, and elusive leopards on safari. The Pekoe Trail, a 186-mile path that was completed in 2023, takes trekkers through the Central Highlands, including local villages, tea plantations and holy shrines. You can also explore Sri Lanka by train, traveling easy while taking in scenic views and enjoying a unique cultural experience. In the lowlands and along its coastlines, Sri Lanka serves up soft-sand beaches with frothy, surfable waves. There are beach towns with trendy hotels and cocktail bars, as well as quiet strips of untouched sand,” Forbes article described.

It noted Mirissa Beach, known for its calm, crystal-clear waters and rock formations, shows up among Tripadvisor’s ‘Best of the Best Beaches’ for 2024. 

Forbes article noted that unlike some popular tourist destinations experiencing anti-tourism protests, Sri Lanka is actively seeking to attract more visitors. “Its tourism authority is investing in marketing campaigns to attract more people, while anti-tourism protests heat up in the Canary Islands, Venice, and Amsterdam, among other places,” it added.

(https://www.forbes.com/sites/kathleenpeddicord/2024/05/24/3-must-visit-travel-destinations-for-summer-2024/?sh=3e4df0411d16)