ECONOMYNEXT- Sri Lanka has identified 50 sites linked to the Ramayana epic which will used to promote tourism in Sri Lanka mainly targeting India, along with Buddhist tourism, an official said as the island is trying to revise the sector to get out of the worst currency crisis in its post-independent history.
“We have identified 50 Ramayana sites in the country, and we are promoting it in India and also we are targeting to go to the UK, France, Canada and South Africa,” Jeevana Fernando, Assistant Director of Sri Lanka Tourism Promotion told EconomyNext.
“When we consider our product diversity there are so many which could attract the pilgrims in India and also from other Buddhist countries, ”
So far 13,759 tourists from India visited Sri Lanka in January 2023, being one of the largest markets for tourism in Sri Lanka.
“Last year and the year before we had several promotions in India for Ramayana tourism. For Buddhism promotion we live streamed the Kandy Esala Perehera in 7 languages,” Fernando said.
“This year it will be live streaming in 20 foreign languages.”
In 2022 Sri Lanka welcomed 719,978 tourists. India was the top generating market with 123,004 visitors visiting the Island.
“Most of the Indians are coming here for leisure travel and they visit at least one Ramayana site in Sri Lanka,” Fernando said. There will be more tourists to visit Ramayana sites in the future than Buddhist places in the country.
Indian tourists are also visiting Sri Lanka for weddings. (Colombo/ Feb 02/2023)