Sri Lanka celebrates wildlife, biodiversity and natural environment

In the 3rd century BC, the country’s first Buddhist King established the world’s first wildlife sanctuary. Today 13 per cent of Sri Lanka is conserved as 16 National Parks, plus reserves, sanctuaries and jungle corridors.

Consequently, Tourism Sri Lanka is targeting “Wild” as a refreshing new offer for visitors, lesser known than Sri Lanka’s beaches and ancient cultural wonders.

Recently visited by Bill Oddie, arguably the UK’s leading birdwatcher, television presenter and conservationist, Bill will be giving his feed back at a press and travel trade briefing at WTM, London. Bill was visibly impressed with the countries diverse wildlife and described his experience as “absolutely superb”.

While commenting on Sinharaja Rainforest, Sri Lanka’s birding hot spot and UNESCO World Heritage Site, he enthused “This is, of course, one of the famous rainforest areas of the world really and again, you’re bound to say you need to be here for several days to make sure you see everything… It’s really enjoyable.” On land its National Parks have a plethora of wildlife including the unique Sri Lankan elephant, the leopard, and sloth bears.

Twitchers from around the world come to see Sri Lanka’s birdlife, estimated at having 23 endemic species. Meanwhile, on the water, whale watching is growing in popularity with visitors able to see the world’s largest ocean mammal, the blue whale, off the coast of Sri Lanka.

Sri Lanka’s first festival in 2011, 26 to 30 January, will be the 5th Annual Galle Literary Festival. Participants include Philip Hoare whose recent book Leviathan or, The Whale (2008), won the 2009 BBC Samuel Johnson Prize.

The book charts Hoare’s lifelong obsession with whales. The increasingly popular Galle Literary Festival has an impressive list of participants for 2011 including the recently announced Nobel, Booker, Orange, Commonwealth and Whitbread prize winners as well as new, young and emerging writers.

Sri Lanka launched its Visit Sri Lanka 2011 Campaign at WTM, expressed in its new logo Refreshingly Sri Lanka. Eight letters of Sri Lanka are eight colours depicting eight different stories: Pristine: beach; Wild: wildlife & nature; Thrills: sports and soft adventure, Scenic: tea country & landscapes, Heritage: 2500 years of civilization, 8 UNESCO sites; Bliss: Ayurveda, boutiques for chilling out; Essence: authenticity of the smiling people, eco tourism, culture, the Arts, shopping, and Festive: entertainment of festivals and events, and a unique place for weddings.

The 12 letters of the Wonder of Asia depict the 12 month calendar of events for the Visit Sri Lanka 2011 Campaign. The launch of this calendar promotes the seasonal diversity of the island. Each month represents a different Sri Lankan experience, demonstrating the diversity of wildlife and activities on offer to visitors throughout the year.

Sri Lanka was named ‘Best Value Destination 2010’ by the Post Office Travel Money, Holiday Costs Barometer research and is set to be the top emerging luxury destination in 2011 according to the New York Times.

Sri Lanka – An active player at World Travel Market 2010

Xu Jing, Regional Director for Asia and the Pacific, World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) met with Malraj Kiriella, Acting Managing Director of Sri Lanka Tourism Promotion Bureau (SLTPB) and Dr. Nalaka Godahewa, Chairman of Sri Lanka Tourism at the Sri Lanka Pavilion of World Travel Market (WTM), which was held in London from 8 to 11 November 2010. Xu held talks with his counterparts from Sri Lanka on tourism cooperation between UNWTO and Sri Lanka. Discussion on 2011 collaboration was highlighted as the UNWTO Regional Commission Meeting will be held in Sri Lanka in March 2011.