Sri Lanka has pegged its hopes on increasing tourism revenue, to sling shot its recovery. And the island has fared well in improving tourism prospects, with inflow increased and revenue up over the year 2023. Last year, tourism earned Sri Lanka approximately US Dollar 2 billion, with around 1.5 million visitors arriving in the island. Tourism earned Sri Lanka a record US Dollar 4.4 billion in 2018, an uphill trend which changed by a string of incidents which began with the 2019 Easter Sunday bombings and the onset of the Covid-19 Pandemic. 

Looking ahead, the prospects look good for tourism to improve in Sri Lanka. But there is a lot of ground which needs to be covered. Sri Lanka needs to streamline and update their tourism regulatory framework to sustain the growth. The Government should also focus on improving access to services for tourists. Improving the capacity and capability of the Tourist Police, and how general law enforcement deals with tourists is of critical importance.  There is also a need to establish clear guidelines for tourists, on what they can, cannot do while on the island, and what processes they need to follow if they decide to change from being tourists, to becoming entrepreneurs / businesspersons. 

Tourists, and persons trafficked engaged in organised crime, such as sex work, in the booming trade of ‘spas’, is a significant concern, and needs to be addressed. There are also many reports of tourists who arrive on tourist visas and overstay, using rental properties as budget hostels, and backpacker-living areas, undermining local micro, small and medium enterprises which have been struggling to stay afloat. The same applies to ‘visiting’ travel guides, who often accompany large tourist delegations. As such, tourists need to be clearly informed on arrival or prior to arrival, what the do’s and don’t of Sri Lanka are. Sri Lanka should also move to strictly enforce the law on such offenders and black list them. 

There is a significant shortage of qualified translators and interpreters in Sri Lanka, who are an essential part of a robust system that supports tourism. This is not only true for tourism, but also for business and investment promotion and sustainment. Many state services (in Sri Lanka), which tourists, grey / digital nomads, businesspersons and investors need to access, are not available in a language they are comfortable in, let alone in English. Translators and interpreters are also valuable to trade and commerce, to deal with maritime matters and seafarers.  Sri Lankans are quick learners and often pick up languages quickly. As such, if a robust accreditation system, like Australia’s NAATI, which is the national standards and certifying authority for translators & interpreters, is introduced in Sri Lanka, it will go a long way in creating the internationally recognised skilled professionals which will benefit many sectors.   

A review of the standards and guidelines for rooms in Sri Lanka’s tourist hotels and guesthouses, would ensure an improved minimum standard, which will help Sri Lanka compete better with regional destinations which compete for tourists at the same price point. This is one area where industry consultation and cooperation will be vital for the Government. There needs to be a strong consultative process, with periodic reviews of the guidelines, to keep Sri Lanka ‘the destination’ for tourists.  

Over the last two years, there have been a number of incidents where the law enforcement's focus on tourism was found to be wanting. In general, police engagement with many tourists have been rather good, but increased use of low-level narcotics amongst tourists, an increase in their involvement in scams of various types, have indicated that the ‘Tourism Police’ is woefully underfunded and staffed. Specialist training, and improved numbers (available round the clock, and not only till sun down) will help, along with better resources. There may also be a role for coastal, entry point law enforcement agencies, such as Customs, Immigration and the Coast Guard play in the matter. Like in many other countries, they too can be linked to the Tourism Police, and a round the clock help desk at the Ministry of Tourism, where interpreters can be available on call to help. 

Given that tourism has begun to show it is in recovery, it would be prudent on the Government to act now to ensure it remains on an upward trajectory.