SHANGRI-LA HAMBANTOTA

Nine years of execellnce

- TEXT & PIX SANATH WEERASURIYA

Sri Lanka's tourism sector is nearing the one million arrival mark for 2025 by mid-May, showing strong progress toward the target of three million arrivals by year-end.

However, with the traditional 'low season' in the South-Western regions lasting until September, domestic travel continues to play a crucial role in maintaining momentum. It is encouraging to see the hospitality sector beginning to boom, driven by a surge in domestic travel — the highest recorded since 2019.

Sri Lanka's very first Deep South luxury resort, Shangri-La's Hambantota Golf Resort & Spa, was bustling with vibrant New Year festivities after years of quiet — thanks to a significant influx of Sri Lankan holidaymakers.

As it prepares to celebrate its ninth anniversary on June 1st, Shangri-La Hambantota Golf Resort proudly highlights its recognition as the fourth best in the 'Top 10 Golf Resorts in the World' by Golfscape Blog, a popular golf concierge platform.

Shangri-La's Hambantota Golf Resort and Spa, the first Shangri-La property in Sri Lanka, opened in June 2016 on a 145-acre former coconut plantation. Spanning 58 hectares, the resort features the par-70, 18 hole golf course, a serene Ayurveda-focused spa, an artisan village celebrating local crafts, three swimming pools and a water park perfect for families, couples and solo travellers seeking a blend of relaxation and adventure.