30 July 2024 | 13 Min Read
Since tourism is an important part of Sri Lanka's economy, they have turned to sustainable tourism to not only protect its natural wonders but also make sure tourist attractions are maintained both now and for many years to come.
Travel is a great way for people to meet others from different backgrounds because of today's global culture. The ability to freely discover new cultures and practices while visiting other nations is an important aspect of this, since it benefits both visitors and locals.
Unfortunately, if people are not careful, the rise in globetrotting can lead to pollution and environmental damage. Just like the tourism industry, travelers are also evolving and becoming more aware of the harm climate change poses. In an effort to reduce their negative environmental effects, many have turned to eco-friendly businesses and organizations.
This is where the sustainable tourism concept is important, and the Sri Lankan government has taken this seriously, as we shall see on this page. Let us explore what sustainable tourism is all about, the measures taken by the Sri Lanka government and ecotourism places to visit in Sri Lanka.
Allow me to explain what sustainable tourism is before we dive into the island’s efforts to encourage eco-friendly tourism. Basically, it is the type of tourism that has a positive impact on not just the economy but also keeps the environment safe and helps local communities.
When tourism is truly ethical and sustainable, it improves the quality of life in local communities and protects natural resources in destinations. In addition to protecting the environment, the World Tourism Organization describes sustainable tourism as providing leisure and hospitality services in a way that supports local economies and societies.
This type of tourism is the only way for tourist destinations to maintain their natural beauty while allowing visitors to enjoy and experience the area without endangering any living things, including humans, animals, and trees.
Too often, the effects of a tourist influx on a local community are disastrous. Either negligence or the very nature of the industry causes this. Time, money, and effort must be invested to make a sustainable travel destination which can be very worthwhile if done right.
There have been many "green" initiatives that are disorganized and show no proper outcome. But in recent years, the tide seems to be turning with legitimate, sustainable tourism initiatives being put forth that improve the appeal and preserve the destination for travelers who are becoming conscious of their environmental footprints.
But don't be mistaken that ecotourism and environmental friendliness are a must in every place. There are so many unique ways to apply sustainable tourism within any destination.
There are three parts to consider; economic, social, and environmental sustainability. When it comes to environmental sustainability, the main aim is protecting the environment by reducing waste, doing away with single-use plastics, and lowering the carbon footprint.
With nature playing a big role in our survival, we must place importance in preserving natural areas like forests and rivers. It is important to preserve even man-made artifacts for future generations, such as historic structures, art, and architectural work.
It's a little harder to describe social sustainability than environmental sustainability as it is the idea that you should perform your business in a way that benefits your partners, employees, and communities in which you operate.
Economic sustainability is based on financial profitability, but the other two pillars of sustainability shouldn't suffer because of it. Profitability is obviously needed for a company's long-term survival, but social and environmental issues should never be compromised for financial gain.
This is a long-term goal that has to be encouraged in Sri Lanka as the favorable balance of environmental, social, and economic effects for both locals and tourists depends on it.
According to the Sri Lankan Tourism Development Authority (SLTDA), sustainability is fundamental for maintaining the nation's natural and cultural heritage while making sure it continues to be an attractive vacation spot. One of SLTDA's main goals in mind is developing sustainable tourism destinations.
The COVID-19 pandemic had a devastating impact on the travel and tourism industry worldwide, but it also offered a once-in-a-lifetime chance to refocus the industry's goals. Sri Lanka has grabbed this chance as the government is following a new course for progress in an environmentally conscious manner.
Sustainable tourism is the only way to preserve the country's natural, cultural, and environmental resources, which is essential to the tourism industry's long-term sustainability. Without the preservation of the island’s natural resources, the nation may see a drop in tourism. To meet the needs of travelers who want more ecologically friendly travel, the National Sustainable Tourism Certification (NSTC) program was created, especially in the wake of the pandemic.
Because this is a tiny island that is susceptible to the effects of climate change, sustainable tourism has now become a need not an option. The nation's tourism business is highly dependent on its natural assets, thus in order to compete in the global market, they must adapt to the needs and wants of tourists.
A number of actions have been taken to promote eco-friendly travel. They joined the Global Sustainable Tourism Council (GSTC) as a first step in establishing sustainable tourism in the country. It is intended to demonstrate their readiness and solidify their long term objective position to pursue sustainable tourism.
Plans to establish Sigiriya as the first Sustainable Destination are among other projects now in progress. The Central Cultural Fund (CCF) will get the draft, which is already completed.
Because of its high level of biodiversity, the Yala Palatupana Tourism Zone is expected to receive the designation of Protected Conservancy Area. New rules, like those that require recycling, renewable energy, and zero single-use plastic, are also being adopted to make sure that new tourism developments follow sustainability standards.
Boutique hotels that are already operating have already begun to establish a timeframe for meeting environmental goals to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals of the United Nations for 2030.
Even the MEPA (Marine Environment Protection Authority) has collaborated with Sri Lanka Tourism to protect marine life and ensure a healthy coastal and ocean environment. This collaboration has been put on hold due to the disaster involving the X-Press Pearl ship.
This is desperately needed because, in 2019, tourism was responsible for at least 5% of global greenhouse gas emissions, according to the United Nations World Tourism Organization. As they become more aware of their carbon footprint, younger generations of tourists, like Millennials and Generation Z, are already searching for more environmentally friendly destinations.
With travel agents, hotels, airlines, retail stores, and cruise ships under its belt, the TUI Group is the biggest leisure, travel, and tourism corporation in the world. According to them, during the three years between 2015 and 2020, the number of consumers choosing "greener and fairer" vacation packages rose by 84%.
Since global problems like pollution, biodiversity loss, and climate change are threatening the tourism industry's future, authorities recognize the significance of promoting sustainable tourism. The tourism industry in Sri Lanka has been considering how to handle these issues to boost the country and establish it as a popular travel destination.
The preservation of the island's natural biodiversity depends on eco-friendly tourism as a significant amount of the country's ecosystems have been lost during the last 50 years. With millions of visitors annually, it is not a coincidence Sri Lankan tourism has expanded at an incredible pace during this time. But, as is often the case, economic expansion has resulted in damage to the environment.
According to studies by the World Ecotourism Organization, ecotourism has grown worldwide, three times faster than the tourism industry as a whole since 2004, indicating that it is part of the new wave of travel.
As luck would have it, the island is also home to numerous protected natural and cultural landmarks, like 26 national parks, nine UNESCO World Heritage Sites, and numerous protected wildlife reserves.
Since most tourists want to experience the environment as organically as possible, these protected areas are among the most well-liked ecotourism attractions in the nation. For example, the reason ecotourism is so popular in Sri Lanka is because it allows visitors to bathe in beautiful lakes or explore uncharted regions.
With so many rainforests on the list of ecotourism destinations, two of the essential elements for a great wildlife experience is getting a better look at the animals and sleeping under the starry lit skies at night. Mountain climbing, hiking, canoeing, and kayaking are considered the least infrastructure-intensive activities that also provide the best exposure to nature.
In order to keep the rainforests as close to their original state as possible, there are a number of rules that must be followed when traveling, such as a complete ban on littering, the destruction of any property, and the feeding of wild animals. When visiting Sri Lanka, ecotourism is the next best thing to do because it allows you to be as close to nature as you can be.
Ecotourism is the practice of traveling to remote, often endangered places to learn about the history and culture of the area while also supporting conservation initiatives. Sri Lanka is ranked highly in the tourism industry, therefore, ecotourism, which is growing in popularity, is essential to preserve biodiversity as the island faces significant challenges related to climate change and biodiversity loss.
There is no need to search no further than Sri Lanka if you wish to travel to eco-friendly destinations. With so many popping up on this stunning island, you can experience its authentic culture firsthand from those who live there, and do so while preserving the environment. The following list of must-see ecotourism destinations in Sri Lanka includes details on how they benefit the environment and its inhabitants.
Forest Ecolodge is situated in the southern region of the country, in the Sinharaja Rainforest. This ecolodge, situated on the edge of the Sinharaja UNESCO Biosphere Reserve, is a great example of how tourist attractions can be designed and built with the environment in mind from the start.
The entire experience aims to place you in the heart of the rainforest, encircled by vibrant trees that will envelop you into the natural world. Raised atop a forest clearing in 2012, twenty chalets made from repurposed shipping containers provide a 360-degree view of the lush canopy while also protecting the plant and animal life below.
The purpose of this resort is to put nature at the heart of the property and showcase the forest's splendor. It is fully finished and equipped with natural materials. You can hike through the forest, appreciate stunning waterfalls, and listen to the birds that soar from the treetops during your days there. During your stays at the lodge, you may also enjoy meals prepared locally at the restaurant with a view of the mountains.
The Gal oya national park, a tranquil and unspoiled sanctuary in the southeast of Sri Lanka, is where this ecolodge is situated. The designers have combined luxury and nature to create a one-of-a-kind experience in the wilderness.
What's most impressive about the resort is its interaction with the local Vedda tribe community. A few of the several issues that have long threatened them are the purchase of private land and the boundaries of government forest reserves. They are recognized as being the first people to live in Sri Lanka. The Vedda people were also under danger during the civil unrest that took place a decade ago.
The Vedda chief takes guests on excursions into the jungle to show how his tribe is spiritually connected to nature and utilizes the land for their survival, while the staff at Gal Oya Lodge works with the community to educate visitors about indigenous culture.
As you walk along the forest roads that surround the lake, which have been protected and conserved for over 2,000 years, you can spot wild elephants swimming among the islands that dot the lake's surface. By staying at the Gal Oya Lodge, learning about their conservation efforts, and getting to know the Vedda people, you can contribute to the preservation of Sri Lanka's untouched wildlife refuge.
The seven remote tents of the Flameback Ecolodge, on the banks of Weerawila Lake, have made glamping look better than ever before. It perfectly blends comfort and style with the great outdoors. The biggest advantage of ecotourism is that it encourages visitors to form close bonds with their surroundings and get actively involved in their local communities.
The Flameback Mountains are an excellent illustration of how ecotourism can aid in the fight against rural poverty, and this characteristic distinguishes it from the rest of the industry. This type of tourism has also assisted in reducing this systemic problem in Sri Lanka.
As stated on their website, the resort collaborates with locals to provide guests with genuine experiences, such as trekking, fishing trips, and learning palmyrah weaving from artisan craftsmen. They maintain an excellent relationship with nearby farmers as well, purchasing directly from them and occasionally hosting dinner parties at their houses. Most significantly, Flameback Ecolodge encourages social mobility in the community by paying a good living wage to each employee.
When you stay at Flameback, you will experience connection in every sense of the word: with yourself, the environment, culture, and the community.
High in the sky, Dream Cliff Mountain Resort can be found in the famous Horton Plains National Park. Encircled by beautiful flora and built upon a mountain, as long as the eye can reach, it provides all guests with peace and quiet despite the modest size.
Dream Cliff is an example of a natural habitat that has been conserved and is increasing in value as part of the efforts to protect Sri Lanka's biodiversity. Dream Cliff's natural environment has been maintained and is becoming a growing factor in the struggle to protect Sri Lanka's biodiversity.
The sounds of untamed animals and the yells of thrill-seekers fill the mountains that stretch to the horizon. Another component of ecotourism is learning about the local environment and culture while on vacation.
While you sleep and take in the peace that stretches from the fluffy clouds that fly by your bedroom window to the rolling grasses that line the sloping hills, Dream Cliff offers you the opportunity to cultivate these awareness abilities. You'll even be able to view the sunrise over the mountaintops and take a nap above the clouds.
You will have the chance to see Sri Lanka's natural beauty up close as you take part in the many activities offered. Enjoy mountain biking across the hilltops and down to the villages, hiking past waterfalls where you can have a cool bath, and observing the various animals that live there.
Eco-friendly destinations, such as Dream Cliff Mountain Resort, which coexists with nature instead of opposing it, could be used as models for the tourism industry's required shift to ecotourism.