Sigiriya has officially become Sri Lanka’s first certified sustainable destination, a landmark achievement in the island’s journey toward environmentally responsible tourism.
This recognition follows the successful completion of the Sustainable Destination Certification Program, launched in 2023 under a comprehensive management plan by the Asian Development Bank. The plan includes rigorous sustainability benchmarks, not just for Sigiriya, but for safeguarding surrounding attractions as well.
Sri Lanka’s commitment to sustainable travel first took shape in 2018, when the Sustainable Tourism Certification Program was introduced with guidance from the Global Sustainable Tourism Council and funding from the UNDP BioFIN project. Since 2019, 37 hotels have received national sustainability certification, recognizing their efforts in meeting high environmental and social standards.
The movement toward sustainability has since expanded across the tourism industry, including accommodation, travel services, and community experiences. A major step in this direction is the formation of a dedicated Sustainable Tourism Unit within the Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority (SLTDA). This unit monitors compliance and develops strategies to help hotels and tour operators meet sustainability goals.
Working with Solidaridad Sri Lanka, the SLTDA has also introduced a self-assessment system that allows tourism businesses to evaluate and enhance their own sustainability performance.
Additionally, the island-wide ‘Good Travel’ certification program is supporting over 200 small and medium enterprises (SMEs), helping them align with global green tourism standards and build a future-proof, eco-conscious travel industry.
With Sigiriya now setting the benchmark, Sri Lanka is well on its way to redefining itself as a sustainable tourism hotspot in the region.
