World’s most renowned and largest travel guide book and digital media
publisher –“The Lonely Planet” has named Sri Lanka as number one
destination in the world to visit in year 2013.
The travel experts and the voters have predicted that Sri Lanka will be
on the top of the hottest new holiday destinations for the travelers in
year 2013. Under the title ‘Serenity returns to Serendib “ the travel
guide raves destination Sri Lanka describing the multi faceted
experiences the traveler can look for in this small Island , fused with
novelty and indulgence :
“Dubbed Serendib -the origin of the word serendipity “ by seafaring
Arab traders centuries ago, Sri Lanka has been anything but serene in
recent decades. …South Asia's most compact country have remained off
limits to even the most intrepid traveller. .…investment is again
fuelling the tourist industry and visitor numbers are steadily
increasing. Prices are affordable. Indeed, Sri Lanka is emerging as one
of the planet's best-value destinations.
The travel guide book highlights the emerging new popular places to
visit in Sri Lanka including the newly opened up East coast and less
travelled paths in the western coast as well : “North of the capital
Colombo, on Sri Lanka's west coast, Kalpitiya and the Puttalam lagoon
are eco-tourism hotspots with bird watching and kayaking. Near Dondra
Head, on the south coast, mighty blue whales are regular visitors from
January to April while land-based wildlife thrills include the leopards
and elephants of Yala National Park, and the more rugged and remote
Wilpattu National Park, open once more after being closed for more than
two decades “
Being famous for pristine sandy beaches from the begining, the Lonely
Planet remarks that the total experience in Sri Lanka is truly a life
changing experience for any traveler:
“The gloriously arcing beaches of the nation's east coast are now
challenging traditional southern favourites. Arugam Bay's sandy crescent
is one of Asia's best surf spots and further north, Uppuveli and
Nilaveli near Trincomalee stretch for several pristine
kilometers….Explore the glorious labyrinth of Galle's 17th-century Dutch
fort. In past centuries, the Unesco-listed colonial town was a
prosperous hub of global trade and now boutique hotels and an emerging
arts scene instil a cosmopolitan allure. Further north, you can discover
Sri Lanka's imposing ancient cities, emerging from a verdant landscape.
All around the country, tuck into great-value local cuisine including
grilled seafood, spicy kottu (roti chopped and mixed with vegetables)
and multi-course mini banquets of different curries at family run
guesthouses. Indian and Thai cooking may be world-renowned, but Sri
Lanka's time in the global gourmet spotlight can't be far away.”
The country is becoming easier to reach due to cheap fares from regional hub Bangkok said Lonely Planet.
The annual Lonely Planet lists are compiled based on unbiased views of
the staff, writers and travel community. Spokesman Adam Bennett said
that the choices are not based on where travellers are already going but
rather are "our pick of where we believe travellers really should
consider visiting in 2013." He said that destinations make the list for a
variety of reasons, including special events, recent developments or
buzz, or that the destination is up-and-coming and worth visiting before
the crowds get too big.
This achievement is certainly a boost for the Tourism industry of Sri
Lanka which keeps on breaking its own records through out the past years
and strategically targeting 2.5 million tourist arrivals by year 2016.
