Sri Lanka may not be the largest or most well known island in the Indian Ocean, but it certainly competes with many of the stronger tourist destinations for European arrivals. In fact, the latest numbers out of Sri Lanka suggest that this could be a record year for them. The country is welcoming guests from all over the world with open arms and plenty of opportunities for great holiday experiences.

According to News LK, the number of arrivals on the island in September 2014 was up 16.8% from the previous year. For the first nine months of the year, arrivals are up more than 22%. Sri Lanka recorded 1.1 million arrivals for January through until the end of September. That is impressive.

News LK went on to say that the majority of the arrivals this year have been from Europe. Approximately 355,000 Western Europeans have visited so far this year, up 14.2% from last year. An additional 107,000 guests arrived from Eastern European nations.

It is always good to see Europe support Indian Ocean tourism destinations such as Sri Lanka. The island nations in that part of the world rely heavily on tourism to sustain their national economies, so they certainly suffer when travel numbers are in decline. However, thanks to a slowly improving European economy, more holidaymakers are choosing to go abroad rather than stay at home.

Opportunities in Sri Lanka

We expect Sri Lanka to have the gorgeous weather the Indian Ocean region is noted for, and indeed it does. The average year-round temperature in the country is 28°C during the daytime hours. There are some slightly lower temperatures in the mountainous regions of the island and, of course, temperatures do tend to drop a little during the winter season.

As for things to do, there is no shortage on the island. Nature provides a plethora of activities, ranging from mountain trekking to bike riding to an abundance of water sports. As you would expect, the coastline offers plenty of luxury resorts at which you can relax on the beach, enjoy a pampering spa session, or dine in a fine restaurant.

For those who like to get away from the resort atmosphere, Sri Lanka has a lot to offer in terms of history and culture. There are plenty of historic sites on the island that date back thousands of years, helping visitors to understand the intricate and complex nature of the island's many influences. Complementing the history is a local culture alive with festivals, religious events, performing arts and, you guessed it, plenty of great food.

Sri Lanka is a destination worth visiting every bit as much as Mauritius or the Seychelles. As a UK-based tour operator, we can arrange Sri Lanka all-inclusive holidays that fit well with your budget. We are Indian Ocean specialists with the experience and connections to get you the best prices throughout the region. Contact us when you are ready to start making plans for your next Sri Lanka holiday.