The second coming of a paradise island: How Sri Lanka bounced back from crisis

Tamara Hardingham-Gill, CNN
10 minute read
Updated 10:36 PM EDT, Thu October 31, 2019
<strong>Idyllic island: </strong>Renowned for its beautiful beaches and UNESCO sites, Sri Lanka welcomed around 2.33 million tourists in 2018.
Idyllic island: Renowned for its beautiful beaches and UNESCO sites, Sri Lanka welcomed around 2.33 million tourists in 2018.
Courtesy Sri Lanka Tourism
<strong>Tourism slump: </strong>Visitor numbers declined by around 70% after the 2019 Sri Lanka Easter bombings, but the island nation is slowly bouncing back from the co-ordinated attacks.
Tourism slump: Visitor numbers declined by around 70% after the 2019 Sri Lanka Easter bombings, but the island nation is slowly bouncing back from the co-ordinated attacks.
Courtesy Sri Lanka Tourism
<strong>Financial hit:</strong> Tourism is Sri Lanka's third largest foreign exchange earner, bringing around $4.4 billion to the island every year.
Financial hit: Tourism is Sri Lanka's third largest foreign exchange earner, bringing around $4.4 billion to the island every year.
Courtesy Sri Lanka Tourism
<strong>Diver's paradise:</strong> Sri Lanka is renowned for its beautiful dive sites and abundant marine life.
Diver's paradise: Sri Lanka is renowned for its beautiful dive sites and abundant marine life.
Courtesy iStock
<strong>Wildlife wonders: </strong>Sri Lanka is home to a wide range of wildlife, such as elephants, blue whales and sloth bears.
Wildlife wonders: Sri Lanka is home to a wide range of wildlife, such as elephants, blue whales and sloth bears.
Courtesy Sri Lanka Tourism
<strong>Leopard spotting:</strong> Sri Lanka's Yala National Park has the highest leopard density in the world.
Leopard spotting: Sri Lanka's Yala National Park has the highest leopard density in the world.
Courtesy Sri Lanka Tourism
<strong>Wild elephants:</strong> Visitors can see Sri Lankan elephants in their natural habitat in the many parks and sanctuaries here.
Wild elephants: Visitors can see Sri Lankan elephants in their natural habitat in the many parks and sanctuaries here.
Courtesy Sri Lanka Tourism
<strong>Tea plucking: </strong>Sri Lanka's world famous tea production is one of its main sources of income.
Tea plucking: Sri Lanka's world famous tea production is one of its main sources of income.
Courtesy Sri Lanka Tourism
<strong>Magnificent sights: </strong>The train journey from Nuwara Eliya to Kandy is another of the island nation's main attractions.
Magnificent sights: The train journey from Nuwara Eliya to Kandy is another of the island nation's main attractions.
Pixabay/Creative Commons
<strong>Unique experiences:</strong> Viceroy Special, Sri Lanka's classic tea train, has been running from Colombo to Badula since the 19th century.
Unique experiences: Viceroy Special, Sri Lanka's classic tea train, has been running from Colombo to Badula since the 19th century.
Courtesy Sri Lanka Tourism
<strong>Grand events:</strong> Known as the Festival of the Tooth, the colorful Kandy Esala Perahera is probably the most outlandish festival in Sri Lanka.
Grand events: Known as the Festival of the Tooth, the colorful Kandy Esala Perahera is probably the most outlandish festival in Sri Lanka.
Courtesy Sri Lanka Tourism
<strong>Renowned destination: </strong>The island nation was named the best country to visit in 2019 by Lonely Planet.
Renowned destination: The island nation was named the best country to visit in 2019 by Lonely Planet.
Courtesy Sri Lanka Tourism
<strong>Pristine beaches: </strong>Bentota Beach is considered one of the most picturesque stretches of sand in Sri Lanka.
Pristine beaches: Bentota Beach is considered one of the most picturesque stretches of sand in Sri Lanka.
Courtesy Sri Lanka Tourism
<strong>Cascading waterfalls:</strong> Sri Lanka is also home to numerous stunning waterfalls such as Baker's Falls in Nuwara Eliya.