Sri Lanka Is Not Bali 2.0

30th April, 2025 News and Updates,Opinion Pieces

As Sri Lanka’s tourism sector emerges from a period of recovery and renewal, a new narrative is taking hold in international travel circles: “Sri Lanka is the next Bali.” The phrase is appearing in headlines, travel blogs, and influencer captions with increasing frequency. But while it may be intended as praise, it’s a comparison that should give pause to anyone who cares about the future of this island nation—whether they are travelers, tour operators, hotel developers, or policymakers.

Being labeled “the next Bali” is not the compliment it once was.

The Dark Side of Paradise

Bali, for all its fame, is now a cautionary tale in overtourism. Its popularity has come at a steep cost: overdevelopment, environmental degradation, disrespect of local laws and cultures, traffic congestion, and a housing crisis driven by short-term rentals and expat investors. The island has reached a point where its infrastructure, environment, and local communities are straining under the weight of overtourism.

Now, we are starting to see early signs of similar pressures in Sri Lanka.

Tourist arrivals are rebounding fast. Coastal villages are turning into nightlife hubs almost overnight. Natural landscapes are being carved up for high-end resorts. And while these developments bring economic opportunity, they also risk replicating the very mistakes that have made tourism in Bali so precarious and polarizing.

A Crucial Moment for Sri Lanka

Sri Lanka stands at a crossroads. The tourism industry now has a unique opportunity—and responsibility—to forge a path that prioritizes sustainability over short-term profit, and authenticity over overexposure.

Malik Fernando, Chair of the Sri Lanka Tourism Alliance, summarized this well in a recent ABC News video titled “Why is Sri Lanka being called ‘the new Bali’?”


 “Sri Lanka is obviously much larger than Bali and offers a much wider range of experiences and terrains,” he said. “Like Bali, Sri Lankan people are renowned for their hospitality, and visitors often leave with lasting impressions of the warmth they received.”’

However, he also cautioned that, “Bali, while similar in many ways, has been overdeveloped. Sri Lanka must not follow that path. Sri Lanka offers much more than Bali—but we must work hard to protect the very essence of what draws travelers here.”

Building a Smarter Tourism Model

While there’s no one-size-fits-all blueprint for sustainable tourism, here are some crucial steps Sri Lanka can take:

Enforce carrying capacity regulations in sensitive ecosystems like Ella, Sigiriya, and Arugam Bay to avoid environmental and resource strain. Sri Lanka should avoid mass tourism in favor of high-value, low-impact travel. Set visitor caps in ecologically sensitive regions such as Yala National Park, and focus on the quality of experience, not quantity of tourist arrivals.

Tourism should benefit local people, not displace them. The industry needs to uplift, empower and promote community-based tourism initiatives, locally owned businesses, and enterprises that celebrate, not commodify culture. 

There is a growing trend of foreign travelers occupying local spaces — in some instances without proper authorization — to operate businesses and provide services primarily geared toward Western tourists. As a result, many of these gentrified areas are losing their cultural authenticity with rising prices that are becoming unaffordable to the locals. As this recent article suggests, local residents are also facing exclusion and hostility, both from foreign newcomers and from within the local tourism industry.

Implement strong environmental regulations and hold the industry accountable. Require new developments to undergo rigorous impact assessments and adopt eco-friendly practices as a baseline, not a bonus.

Move beyond over-promoted hotspots and shift the marketing narrative toward lesser-known areas to spread the economic benefits and reduce crowding. Encourage exploration of lesser-known attractions through responsible marketing and improved infrastructure. 

Protect cultural heritage from being commodified or diluted for entertainment. Tourists should be invited to witness, not consume.

A Final Word—for the Industry and the Traveller

Sri Lanka does not need to become the next Bali to succeed. Its greatest strength lies in being uniquely itself—wild, soulful, and deeply connected to its roots.

The tourism industry, travelers, and policymakers must work together to shift the narrative. We must educate ourselves and others about responsible travel, cultural respect, and environmental conservation. We don’t need to reinvent the wheel—we just need to learn from it.

Local law enforcement, tour companies, and developers all share the responsibility to ensure sustainable tourism practices are not just encouraged but enforced. By learning from the successes and mistakes of other destinations, Sri Lanka can protect and preserve its rich cultural and natural heritage—and offer the world a truly unique experience.