Tour Operators Outbound Market Report says:

Sri Lanka a top honeymoon destination

BY ANJANA Gamage

Sri Lanka has been recognised as one of the top honeymoon destinations in the world.

According to the Tour Operators Outbound Market Report 2004\2005 issued recently in the UK, Sri Lanka has been placed in one of the top three places as a popular honeymoon destination.

"According to the report, Venice in Italy has been placed as the first and Paris as the second. Sri Lanka has become third in the rankings of top honeymoon destinations," Sri Lanka Tourist Board (SLTB) Director General S. Kalaiselvam told the Daily News.

"Latest statistics have revealed that many people in the UK preferred to have their wedding and honeymoon in Sri Lanka," he said.

According to SLTB sources, Mount-Lavinia Hotel (Mount Lavinia), Mahaweli Reach (Kandy), Saman Villas (Bentota) and Triton Hotel (Ahungalla) are the popular hotels that foreigners prefer to have their weddings and honeymoon.

The report also indicates an increase in traditional Sri Lankan weddings by foreigners with the groom wearing the colourful Nilame suit and the bride wearing the Kandyan Osariya with seven necklaces and a nalalpatiya.

The wedding ceremony also comprises traditional drum beats by the local drummers and an elephant ride for the newly wed couple.

According to Himaj Jayasinghe, the Sales and Marketing Manager of Saman Villas Group, more than 75 percent of their business is based on foreign weddings and honeymoons.

"The scenic view of the hotel is the major tourist attraction for us. Saman Villas is situated about 35ft above sea level and located on a top of a rock. The hotel is built in a romantic atmosphere with a scenic view of the sea and the sunset. We have a luxury suite with spa, private pools, mini bars and six romantic dining locations," he said.

Most of their weddings and honeymoon couples are mainly from U.K. and other European destinations and the hotel charges range from US$ 250 to US$ 600 per day.

The Mount Lavinia which is one of the country's most prestigious hotels with a unique architectural designs is loved by foreigners who select it as a wedding and honeymoon destination. Oshadi de Silva, Public Relations Manager of Mount Lavinia Hotel said the hotel has an average of ten foreign weddings per month.

"Fifty percent of our foreign weddings are from U.K and we have introduced special packages to these couples to make it a golden moment for them," she said.

The SLTB participated at the wedding and honeymoon tourism fair held in London, October 2004.