Sri Lanka claimed the gold award for ‘Most Desirable Island’ at the 23rd Annual Wanderlust Reader Travel Awards, marking a remarkable jump from eighth place last year. The prestigious recognition celebrates the island’s vibrant tapestry of culture, history and natural beauty.
Conducted by the UK’s oldest and largest circulating travel magazine, the awards are highly regarded within the industry with more than three million global travellers casting their votes across 22 travel related categories.
Wanderlust draws attention to Sri Lanka’s ancient landmarks like Sigiriya and the Dambulla cave temples, as well as its national parks, beaches and tea plantations. The recent addition of the pekoe trail, a scenic route through the central highlands, has enhanced the island’s appeal.
While Sri Lanka won top honours, Taiwan was ranked second, followed by Puerto Rico in third place. The other islands ranked were Tobago, Tasmania, Bermuda, Cuba, Barbados, Madagascar and Palawan.
This accolade follows another significant honour from Wanderlust: in 2020, the magazine named Sri Lanka its ‘Comeback of the Year,’ celebrating the country’s swift recovery after the devastating Easter Sunday bombings of 2019.
Since then, improved security measures and tourism campaigns have restored the island’s image, positioning Sri Lanka as a safe and appealing destination. This award marks a key milestone in the nation’s ongoing tourism revival.