In a remarkable recognition of its global tourism appeal, Sri Lanka has clinched the Gold Award for “Most Desirable Island” at the 23rd Annual Wanderlust Reader Travel Awards.

The accolade represents a thrilling turnaround for the island nation which climbed from eighth place last year to take the top spot in the globally celebrated awards.

Wanderlust, a well-regarded UK-based travel magazine, praised Sri Lanka’s captivating blend of culture, history, and natural beauty. In its winning entry, the magazine described Sri Lanka as “the Pearl of the Indian Ocean,” where “history comes to life through spectacular monuments.”

“Its leopard-filled national parks and the jungle-fringed beaches show off the island’s natural side and it’s the tea plantations and lush highlands of the center that have caught the eye,” the magazine said in its description of the island nation.

This year’s Wanderlust awards saw over three million travellers from around the world casting votes for destinations, tour operators and travel brands across 22 categories.

The Gold Award is Sri Lanka’s second major recognition from the magazine, following its ‘Comeback of the Year’ accolade for Sri Lanka in 2020, which acknowledged the country’s remarkable tourism recovery after the deadly 2019 Easter bombings.

Since then, improved security measures and targeted travel promotions have helped Sri Lanka rebuild its image globally as a safe and welcoming travel destination while restoring its confidence among international travellers.
As part of its ongoing promotional efforts, Sri Lanka Tourism recently hosted 30 top influencers, reaching an impressive audience of over 7 million people worldwide through more than 10,000 social media posts.
Meanwhile, the Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority (SLTDA) reported that over 30,000 visitors arrived on the island during the first five days of November with a daily average of 6,124 visitors per day.

As of November 5, 2024, Sri Lanka has welcomed a total of 1,651,335 international travellers for the year. (NR)