COLOMBO, April 18 (Xinhua) -- Leading international travel agent, Trip Expert, has named Sri Lanka as the 'Best Emerging Destination for 2019' due to its scenic beaches, mountains and UNESCO World Heritage site, Sri Lanka's Tourism Ministry, quoting Trip Expert, said in a statement here Thursday.

According to Trip Expert, the top rated attraction in Sri Lanka was the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization(UNESCO) World Heritage site 'Sigiriya', which was described as 'an incredible palace and fortress hewn out of a huge 180 meter-high rock' and the most visited tourist attraction.

The Ceylon Tea Museum in Hantane, in the central highlands was also named another top attraction.

"With tourist numbers reaching an all-time high in December 2018, and some striking hotels opening in 2019, Sri Lanka is continuing to bloom," Trip Expert said.

"For such a small country, Sri Lanka has remarkable natural diversity," it added.

Sri Lanka's tourism has boomed following the end of the country's civil war in May 2009, targeting 3 million tourists with a revenue of 5 billion U. S. dollars this year.