Forbes ranks Sri Lanka as a top must-see country

Sri Lanka (Commonwealth) _ Together with Greece and Mauritius, Forbes has ranked Sri Lanka as one of the top three must-see locations for summer ’24.

Travel blogger Kathleen Peddicord writes for Forbes, characterizing Sri Lanka as just another island nation adrift in the Indian Ocean, home to breathtaking beaches and lush hills. Like Bali before its surge in popularity and subsequent overtourism, its allure is a fusion of the surf and wellness cultures.

In recent years, centers for breathwork, yoga, reiki, and other health techniques have cropped up all over the island. Some of these facilities, such as Anantara Peace Haven Tangalle Resort and Kalukanda House, combine health principles with opulent extras like furnishings and services.

With 22 national parks, Sri Lanka is a destination for wildlife enthusiasts, according to Kathleen Peddicord. Numerous plant and animal species are found in its dense, subtropical forests and mountains. On safari, visitors may get a glimpse of sloth bears, otters, elephants, and secretive leopards.

Completed in 2023, the 186-mile Pekoe Trail leads hikers across the Central Highlands, passing through small towns, tea plantations, and sacred sites. Another convenient way to see Sri Lanka is by rail, which offers a distinctive cultural experience together with beautiful scenery.

According to Kathleen Peddicord, Sri Lanka has soft-sand beaches with foamy, surfable waves in the lowlands and around its coastlines. There are calm stretches of undeveloped sand among hip beach communities complete with cocktail lounges and hotels. Mirissa Beach is included as one of Tripadvisor’s “Best of the Best Beaches” for 2024. It is well-known for its serene, pristine seas and striking rock formations.

In contrast to some of the most visited places in the world, especially in Europe, Sri Lanka really desires more tourists at this time. Anti-tourist protests are intensifying in a number of locations, including the Canary Islands, Venice, and Amsterdam, but the country’s tourism body is spending money on marketing initiatives to draw in more visitors.

While acknowledging that the country is still recuperating from a bombing, a pandemic, a severe economic crisis, and other recent events, Kathleen Peddicord notes that tourism is a significant source of revenue for Sri Lanka and traveling there might contribute to the communities’ financial stability.

“Considering all Sri Lanka has to offer, the marketing initiatives of its tourist authority, and the rise in wellness and upscale hotel chains, I anticipate Sri Lanka’s popularity to continue to expand this summer and beyond.

Its south and central areas appear on Condé Nast Traveller’s “The 24 Best Places to Go in 2024,” she continues, and it made Travel + Leisure’s list of “The 50 Best Places to Travel in 2024.” It’s possible that summer 2024 may be the biggest travel season ever. 97% of pre-pandemic levels were attained by international tourists in the first quarter of this year. Between January and March, 285 million people traveled overseas, a 20% rise. Preliminary data points to a large amount of trips by Americans in the upcoming months. The State Department issued 24 million passport books and cards between October 2022 and September 2023, the most quantity in American history.

The TSA anticipates screening a record number of passengers this summer and is now seeing exceptionally high traffic. Although significant holidays have historically been its busiest days, May 17 was one of its busiest days ever (with 2.8 million passengers).

I would advise staying away from the popular tourist places in Europe, especially those where the locals are actively against increased tourism. Instead, choose from one of the three places I suggest visiting for memorable and distinctive travel experiences.

Greece has dozens of islands, breathtaking scenery, and glistening Mediterranean waters, making it a consistently sought-after travel destination. It is the 13th most visited nation in the world, with 31.3 million visitors a year. Greece’s appeal is undeniable, and based on last year’s travel patterns, it is expected to see high summer travel demand once more.

There are not many better destinations than Mauritius if you’re looking for luxurious resorts, pristine beaches, enticing blue seas, and a thriving arts and culture scene. The greatest way to capture the splendor of this island nation is to quote Mark Twain: “Mauritius was made first and then heaven, heaven being copied after Mauritius.”

Situated around 1,000 miles off the coast of Southeast Africa, in the Indian Ocean, is the collection of islands known as the Mascarenes, which includes Mauritius. In the 1980s, jet setters frequented it due to its very secluded location and breathtaking natural beauty.