Twelve years after the Boxing Day Tsunami and six years since the end of the civil war, Sri Lanka has emerged from its tumultuous past to become the most popular family destination for 2015 - 2016 according to tailor made family travel specialists, Stubborn Mule.

"Sri Lanka isn't just back on the family travel map, it's centre stage, says Liddy Pleasants, owner of Stubborn Mule Travel, the tailor-made family travel specialists who operate trips in Asia, Africa, Latin America and beyond.

In the last quarter, the company has seen Sri Lanka bookings rise by 68 % and, in the last two weeks alone, 60% of bookings have been to the Indian Ocean destination.

So, why Sri Lanka and, just as importantly, why now?

"Sri Lanka is a safe place to go," says Liddy. "Given the current situation in some parts of Europe and the Middle East, finding a safe alternative for family travellers has certainly been a significant factor, but not the only one in explaining Sri Lanka's sudden surge in popularity," says Liddy.

"Beaches that have been off-limits for years due to the civil war are now open again, places that are not yet built up to be dominated by high-rise hotels and package holiday makers, but instead offer simpler  pleasures like shady, rentable beach shacks, swaying hammocks and seafood barbeques. Unlike the southern beaches, they're also remarkably quiet, "continues Liddy.

"Climate is also a factor. Unlike other destinations in Asia or the Caribbean, for example, Sri Lanka is a perfect summer destination, with temperatures of around 28 degrees, guaranteed sunshine (in some parts of the country) and low rainfall.  

At ten and a half hours direct from London, favourable flight times are almost certainly an influence.

"As well as summer holidays, we've also experienced a surge in last minute bookings over the Christmas period, a relatively short holiday window, but one in which Sri Lanka appeals, it offering the perfect winter climate but up to four fewer flight hours than Vietnam, our second most popular family destination."

Sri Lanka has certainly taken over the sub-continental mantle from its much larger neighbour, India.

"Historically, India has been a perennial favourite for family travellers, particularly Rajasthan, Goa and Kerala. However, India is now our 8th most popular destination.

According to Liddy, families tend to prefer Sri Lanka for its 'India -lite' appeal; offering adventurous family travellers the same colour, exoticism, vibrancy and cultural experiences of its larger neighbour, but with none of the well-documented hassle. It's much smaller, too, so travelling times - a crucial factor when children have to be considered - are less.

That Sri Lanka is now the most popular destination for family travellers shows just how far it's come in the past decade, a tourism recovery success story both from the Boxing Day Tsunami in 2004, or, more recently, when much of the north east beaches and surrounding areas were simply off limits due to Tamil insurgency and civil war.

 "That Sri Lankan family tourism is now booming is testament as much to the hugely improved tourism infrastructure following the Tsunami and civil war as it is to the island's climate, landscape, culture and location.  

Boutique hotels are also flourishing, according to Liddy, with tailor-made travel allowing families the chance to experience an extraordinary number of fabulous locations that simply don't appear in any guide books, not just in the centres of Kandy or Colombo but in out of the way places, too.

How to get there?

Stubborn Mule offers a suggested 15 days Sri Lanka itinerary  for £8,800 for a family of four. Price includes flights, accommodation, transport, activities and excursions, guide and some meals. For bookings, contact T. 01728 752 751 or visit stubbornmuletravel.com

Best Family Experiences in Sri Lanka

Take a bullock cart around a traditional coconut plantation to discover how the ubiquitous crop is grown and picked.

Stay overnight in  South African style tents in Wilpattu National Park, Sri Lanka's largest National Park and the best place to spot leopards.

Join pilgrims at the UNESCO Heritage Site of Dambulla as they climb to a vast series of caves covered in brightly coloured 2,000 year old frescoes and statues of Buddha.

Take a boat ride in search of blue whales (Sri Lanka is one of the best places in the world to spot them)  and dolphins at Trincomalee.

Join a jeep safari in Minneriya National Park, one of the best places in Asia to see wild elephants

Visit a tea plantation to learn all about how our favourite cuppa is made, from leaf to cup.

Explore The Temple of the Tooth, Kandy, believed to hold one of Buddha's teeth and is one of the most important Buddhist pilgrimage sites in the world.

Take a boat ride into the Muthurajawela Nature Reserve, a tropical wetland covering 7,000. Watch out for kingfishers, herons, storks, butterflies, - even the occasional crocodile or python.

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Media Contact

For images, further information or to arrange an interviews, please contact: Rebecca Scrase, T. 01449 677033 M. 07985 973973, E rebecca@rebeccascrasepr.com 

About Stubborn Mule

Stubborn Mule offers 100% tailor-made family adventures to Asia, Africa, Latin America and beyond. It was founded in 2009 by LIddy Pleasants, who has nearly 20 years first-hand travel experience and who  cycled 3,000km around South East Asia with her young family. Stubborn Mule is  ATOL protected.