The Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority (SLTDA), in partnership with the Asian Development Bank (ADB), launched a comprehensive Marine Tourism Roadmap which could transform the island nation into a year-round marine tourism destination while balancing economic development with ecological conservation.
The initiative, unveiled in Colombo, seeks to mitigate the industry’s historical reliance on monsoon-driven seasonal travel by diversifying offerings across key coastal regions.
It also lays the groundwork for a new chapter in Sri Lanka’s tourism sector and the nation’s blue economy.
The roadmap, developed through stakeholder consultations and technical assistance from ADB, targets both established and emerging coastal zones. Key strategies include promoting eco-friendly activities such as diving, snorkeling, and marine wildlife watching, alongside region-specific plans to address seasonality.
It suggested that Kalpitiya can capitalize on its consistent kite surfing conditions while simultaneously developing land-based wildlife tourism to attract visitors during off-peak periods while Galle can shift its focus towards promoting its rich cultural and maritime heritage through dedicated tours, particularly during the summer months, to offset its traditional winter-centric tourism.
Meanwhile, it suggested that Trincomalee could establish diving as a perennial attraction, ensuring a steady flow of tourists throughout the year, and further promote surfing during the summer season; and pointed out that North-Eastern Coastal Belt, encompassing Jaffna and Mannar, holds the potential to cultivate year-round appeal by developing its currently untapped resources, specifically its pristine beaches and unique cultural assets.
Deputy Minister of Tourism Prof. Ruwan Ranasinghe emphasized the critical importance of marine tourism in strengthening the national tourism strategy and assured fullest support of the government to implement the roadmap.
He noted that sustainable marine tourism offers long-term opportunities for job creation, environmental protection, and community-based development. The strategy emphasizes partnerships between government bodies, private enterprises, and environmental groups. ADB’s Country Director, Takafumi Kadono announced plans to pilot sustainable infrastructure projects in Passikudah a move expected to catalyze broader regional development.
SLTDA Chairman Buddhika Hewawasam stressed the need for unified action.
“Success hinges on aligning the efforts of communities, businesses, and policymakers” he said.
With Sri Lanka’s ocean territory seven times larger than its landmass, the roadmap highlights untapped opportunities in marine tourism. It also prioritizes protecting critical habitats, including coral reefs and marine mammal populations, through strict sustainability protocols.
The SLTDA projects that these measures will not only reduce seasonal fluctuations but also position Sri Lanka as a global leader in eco-conscious marine tourism. By 2030, the sector is anticipated to drive significant job creation, community empowerment, and a double digit growth in annual tourist arrivals.
The roadmap itself was the result of collaboration among stakeholders covering coastal areas of Negombo, Kalpitiya, Mannar, Jaffna, Mullativu, Trincomalee and Galle and also the Steering committee members representing 18 key marine related public and private sector institutions including Presidential Secretariat, Ministry of Tourism and the SLTDA. This unified approach ensured that the document reflects the diverse perspectives of stakeholders directly involved in marine and coastal tourism development.
Source – www.dailymirror.lk
