Tourism in Sri Lanka
Tourism is one of the main industries in Sri Lanka. Major tourist attractions are focused around the islands famous beaches located in the southern and eastern parts of the country, ancient heritage sites located in the interior of the country and lush green resorts located in the mountainous regions of the country.[1][2] The 2004 Indian Ocean Tsunami[3] and the ongoing civil war have reduced tourist arrivals, however Sri Lanka received over half a million tourists in 2006.[4]
Visitor attractions
Sri Lanka is home to six world heritage sites: Galle, Kandy, Sigiriya, Anuradhapura, Polonnaruva, and Dambulla cave temple. Sri Lanka's many beaches are often visited by tourists. The historical city of Colombo is considered as the "Commercial capitol of Sri Lanka" which attracts many tourists from Asian region to visit for businesses. National parks in Sri Lanka are also popular visitor attractions.
The Leading hotels
There are several five star hotels and international chain hotels like Hilton Hotels[6] situated in the main city Colombo and outside also.
The five star hotels situated in Colombo are Cinnamon Grand (Formerly known as Hotel Oberio & Colombo Plaza), Ceylon Continental Hotel Colombo, Hilton Colombo, Hilton International, Holiday Inn, Hotel Galadari, Taj Samudra and Trans Asia Hotel.
The five star hotels outside Colombo as Earl's Regency - Kandy, Eden Hotel - Beruwala, Kandalama Hotel - Dambulla, Light House Hotel - Galle, Mahaweli Reach Hotel - Katugastota (Kandy), Taj Exotica - Bentota, test update - Ahangama and Triton Hotel - Ahungalle.
Also there are many four star and three star hotels situated around the country.
Tourism industry
The industry was effected by December 2004 Tsunami and the civil war in the country.
The International media reports published about the improvements in industry of January 2008 by 0.6%[7], March 2008 by 8.6%[8] when comparing to last year's (2007) figures.
