Gregory Lake Tops Instagram Charts, But Sri Lanka Needs Luxury Tourism

Gregory Lake in Nuwara Eliya has been named Sri Lanka’s most photogenic lake, topping a global study released by UK-based travel specialists Travelbag to mark World Photography Day. The lake ranked highest in the country with 47,600 Instagram hashtags and 2,463 TikTok posts, far ahead of Kandy Lake, which recorded 14,800 Instagram mentions.

Set amid tea plantations, colonial gardens, and misty mountain peaks, Gregory Lake has long been a favourite among both local and international travellers. Its global recognition coincides with Sri Lanka’s famous elephant gathering season, when hundreds of elephants converge at Minneriya and Kaudulla National Parks, creating one of Asia’s most spectacular wildlife events.

While the study highlights Sri Lanka’s natural appeal, experts warn that the country must go beyond social media fame to secure high-spending visitors. Gregory Lake and other attractions, they argue, can be repositioned as luxury eco-tourism hubs, offering curated experiences such as boutique stays, premium wildlife tours, and photography packages.

Globally, Lake Tahoe in the United States took first place with 3.1 million Instagram hashtags, followed by Canada’s Lake Louise and Lake Ontario. Against such competition, analysts stress that the National People’s Power (NPP) government must modernise infrastructure, improve marketing campaigns, and encourage investment in premium tourism services if Sri Lanka is to compete with destinations like Bali and the Maldives.

Gregory Lake’s popularity is clear. The challenge now is to convert its beauty into long-term economic value by attracting affluent travellers

 

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