Tourism Ministry aims to enhance visitor experience at Sigiriya

Saturday, 4 January 2025 02:26 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

Deputy Minister of Tourism Prof. Euwan Ranasinghe convened a high-level meeting yesterday to address critical issues impacting local and foreign tourists at Sigiriya, one of the most iconic heritage sites.

The discussion held at the Tourism Ministry brought together senior officials from various Government bodies including the Tourism Promotion Bureau, Forest Conservation Department, Urban Development Authority, Dambulla Divisional Secretariat, Central Cultural Fund and the Department of Archaeology.

The meeting also attended by the Coordinating Secretary to Tourism Minister Vijitha Herath, Chaminda Jayanatha, tackled a range of pressing issues that have marred the tourist experience at Sigiriya, a UNESCO World Heritage site, despite its status as one of the most expensive archaeological sites in the world.

Key issues discussed included; long queues and poor facilities, where tourists often face prolonged waits at ticket counters, exacerbated by inadequate first aid water facilities. Additionally lack of proper rest areas for those unable to climb Sigiriya creates discomfort, particularly for group travellers.

It was also pointed out that with insufficient street lighting, tourists are at risk of encounters with wild animals. Current shelters for emergencies, such as wasp attacks, are deemed inadequate and require urgent upgrades.

Visitor management and infrastructure was another issue. Heavy traffic caused by local tourists during holidays disrupts schedules for foreign visitors. The absence of thematic and visually appealing notice boards further detracts from the visitor experience, while unregulated guides and unfriendly security personnel contribute to dissatisfaction.

Officials also highlighted the need to renovate Sigiriya’s inactive ancient water lilies and reconstruct them in collaboration with the Department of Archaeology. The Sigiriya Museum also requires significant upgrades to align with international standards.

Concerns were raised that, despite Sigiriya’s high entry fees, sufficient measures have not been taken to add value to the experience, leaving tourists feeling short-changed.

The discussion also resulted in several proposed initiatives to address these issues, including: increasing ticketing efficiency to reduce wait times, installing street lights and enhancing first aid facilities for tourist safety, creating regulated rest areas and improving toilet facilities near key points like the Lion’s Foot, developing a thematic and visually engaging signage system to guide visitors through the site, expanding the security shelter to provide adequate protection during wasp attacks, upgrading the museum and initiating the restoration of historical elements like the water lilies.

The proposed measures aim to elevate Sigiriya’s appeal while ensuring sustainable management of the site’s archaeological and cultural significance.