TORONTO — Where can travellers find elephants, tea plantations, temples, authentic cuisine and pristine beaches?

Sri Lanka, known as the ‘Pearl of the Indian Ocean,’ is home to all this and more, as media partners, influencers, tourism partners and special guests found out at a recent industry event held at Toronto’s Broadview Hotel.

The island nation just off the southeastern coast of India is blessed with natural beauty and a rich cultural heritage. Add a welcoming atmosphere and safe environment to the mix, and Sri Lanka might be exactly what clients are looking for right now.

Brian Tan, SVP, TripToGo, and Medhavi Peiris, Consul General of the Sri Lanka Consulate in Toronto, were front and centre at the event, an afternoon infused with Sri Lankan-inspired energy.

Fresh from a trip to Sri Lanka, Tan shared several compelling aspects of the country that inspired him. He summed it up for the group: “There is only one island in the world like Sri Lanka. Can you believe it? Who wants to go to Sri Lanka?”

Attendees took in cultural performances by a dance troupe, learned about the destination and had a chance to win prizes and giveaways, all while networking and enjoying an authentic Sri Lankan lunch.

RECORD GROWTH

Despite being a small country, with an area of just 460 km – which could easily fit between Toronto and Ottawa – tourism is one of Sri Lanka’s key sectors, attracting visitors from around the world.

The good news is that the number of tourists has been increasing year over year, underscoring the significant boom in the tourism industry, as Peiris highlighted.

“In 2025, Sri Lanka welcomed 2.3 million tourists, marking an all-time high, and we’re seeing no signs of slowing down in the first two quarters of this year,” said Peiris.

Canada accounted for 3.1% of all international visitors, making it one of the top 10 source markets for inbound travel to Sri Lanka.

A UNICORN ISLAND DESTINATION

Sri Lanka punches above its weight as a year-round destination  – yes, this means visitors can travel to Sri Lanka at any time  – despite two monsoon seasons.

The monsoons affect different parts of the country at various times of the year, ensuring there is always a region of the island ready to explore.

And not to be discounted, with an average daytime temperature of 30 °C year-round, Sri Lanka is an attractive option for Canadians looking to escape the cold.

The country is home to eight UNESCO World Heritage Sites, features an uninterrupted coastline and has 26 national parks. It also boasts ancient cities with over 2,500 years of history, abundant wildlife and golden beaches.

The event delivered a deep dive into the diverse regions of Sri Lanka, including the north, east, south and west coasts, the Cultural Triangle, the modern capital of Colombo and the highlands, each characterized by its own unique features.

Above all, Sri Lanka’s diversity remains one of its biggest selling points.

Notably, Sri Lanka is recognized as the wildlife capital of Asia and is one of the best countries to spot leopards in the wild. It also hosts the famous Elephant Gathering, considered one of the largest seasonal gatherings of Asian elephants.

The island also offers wellness experiences through luxurious spas and Ayurveda resorts.

Cuisine is another highlight, with a rich and diverse culinary landscape featuring aromatic spices, coconut-infused curries and fresh local ingredients.

SRI LANKA AIRLINES CONNECTION

The timing could not be better for Canadians to travel to Sri Lanka.

Rather than building firewalls, the destination is rolling out the welcome mat to Canadians with recent visa-free access via an online ETA process.

Canadian travellers can choose from multiple convenient flight options via gateways in Europe, the Middle East and Asia, all with seamless connections to Bandaranaike International Airport (CMB) in Sri Lanka.

Sri Lankan Airlines highlighted what sets it apart. As Jerit Fernando, a sales executive with Sri Lanka Airlines based in Toronto, put it, “We are the only airline that can take you to Sri Lanka via Europe or the Middle East, allowing guests to stop over and experience two destinations in one trip. This way, they can enjoy a taste of Sri Lankan food and hospitality before arriving in Sri Lanka.”

TRIPTOGO: REDEFINING THE JOURNEY

Event sponsor TripToGo, with cutting-edge technology and 30+ years of experience in the travel industry, has three curated itineraries that capture the essence of Sri Lanka and enhance the traveller experience through authentic local encounters.

The itineraries, ranging from eight to 12 days, offer a layered look at Sri Lanka’s past and present. There’s also a special initiative called ‘Classroom of Hope,’ dedicated to supporting education in Sri Lanka. This initiative aims to rebuild and improve school facilities, provide students with safer classrooms, better resources and more inspiring environments to learn and grow.

Every Sri Lanka booking through TripToGo contributes directly to educational development projects like Classroom of Hope. On April 10, 2027, TripToGo guests departing for Sri Lanka can support Classroom of Hope by visiting a rural Sri Lankan school and contributing to local educational efforts.

Noteworthy for Canadian travel advisors: TripToGo packages are commissionable, and advisors can register via the travel agent portal.

For more information on Sri Lanka, click here.

Lead image caption: Medhavi Peiris, Consul General, Consulate General of Sri Lanka, Toronto (left) with Brian Tan, Senior Vice President, TripToGo (centre) and Yasoji Gunawardana, Consul Commercial, Consulate General of Sri Lanka-Toronto (right) atop The Broadview Hotel in Toronto (all photos courtesy Annie Cicvaric)