Sri Lanka to revive tourism after Cyclone Ditwah

Sri Lankan authorities will reopen most tourist destinations and roll out a series of recovery measures to revive its tourism industry affected by Cyclone Ditwah, as the peak tourism season approaches, officials said.

Deputy Minister of Environment Anton Jayakody informed journalists that the botanical gardens, which were temporarily closed due to landslides and safety concerns triggered by the cyclone, will reopen soon. He ordered relevant authorities to implement measures to address landslide risks in these areas.

Meanwhile, Sri Lankan tourism officials launched a marketing campaign under the theme "Sri Lanka is ready," targeting travelers from the country's top 10 source markets through digital platforms.

Earlier on Dec. 8, Chairman of Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority Buddhika Hewawasam revealed that a long-delayed visa-free entry facility for travelers from 40 countries is expected to come into effect in January 2026, as part of broader efforts to accelerate post-disaster recovery and support the peak winter tourism season.

Over 70,000 tourists have arrived in Sri Lanka between Dec. 1 and 11, the latest official data showed.

xinhua