Tourists at the Yala National Park

• Asserts having mere plans not enough

By Nuzla Rizkiya

Sri Lanka is experiencing a steady increase in international visitors, but the industry authority emphasises the need for urgent action to protect the country’s biodiversity and environment.

Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority (SLTDA) Chairman Priantha Fernando highlighted the necessity of a well-thought-out plan to mitigate the potential effects of over-tourism. 

He cited issues such as over-visitation and political interference in the management of iconic locations like Yala National Park, have caused considerable damage to the country’s sensitive ecosystem.

“If you take the over-visitation in Yala, it’s not that we don’t know how to manage the inflows to the park. We do know, but unfortunately, there are many interferences coming in between. So just having plans is not enough,” said Fernando, addressing an ADB forum on tourism and biodiversity conservation in Sri Lanka.

Similar sentiments were echoed by the Asian Development Bank (ADB), which plans to finance a project aimed at enhancing sustainable practices and private sector growth within the industry.

ADB Country Director for Sri Lanka, Takafumi Kadono, expressed optimism about improving figures in the local industry, but emphasised the need for sustainable approaches for the local tourism landscape.

“Biodiversity conservation is certainly a very important topic in Sri Lanka currently as the country looks to strengthen high potential economic sectors to support recovery and drive a high growth trajectory. Tourism certainly is a huge driver of growth and expansion and must be done in a sustainable way,” he stated.
Kadono commended the island nation for its efforts in increasing tourist arrivals. He shared that the ADB is preparing a project for the tourism sector that aims to introduce policy actions and reforms to enhance resilience, strengthen institutions, and potentially streamline decision-making so that the private sector can thrive.
He added that the project, along with its investment components focusing on areas such as sustainable destinations and regulatory reforms, is expected to be finalised by the end of the year.