Sri Lanka Tourism ready for tourists

Sri Lanka Tourism is geared to provide quality service to the large number of tourists who are expected to arrive in the country during the next five years, Sri Lanka Tourism Chairman Nalaka Godahewa said.

He was addressing the media on the Viceroy special 25th anniversary celebration at the Sri Lanka Institute of Tourism and Hotel Management yesterday. Atleast 654,000 tourists had arrived in Sri Lanka during year 2010, an increase of over 46 percent. The Government according to Chairman Godahewa expects a target of 2.5 million tourists by 2016.

Sri Lanka, a country which is rich in natural beauty and cultural landscape is ideal for promotion of tourism.

He said that the importance of introducing new products to raise the daily spending of tourists in addition to the natural beauty, was essential.

February 2 marks a special day for Sri Lanka Tourism when the Viceroy Luxury Steam Train celebrates its 25th anniversary with a run from Colombo fort to Rambukkana. The Government, he said recognizes the contribution of Viceroy Special to Sri Lanka Tourism with the Postal Authority issuing the longest stamp in the history of Sri Lanka along with four other commemorative stamps to mark this day.

The special luxury train has come along way making a tremendous contribution to Sri Lanka tourism with popular trips to Pinnawala, Kandy and west coast beach resorts. The steam-hauled train is passenger friendly, stopping on requests for guests to take photographs of scenic spots.

Viceroy Special is a 75-year-old train and also the only steam train still in operation in Sri Lanka.

The train has two air conditioned observation saloons, with 64 plush reclining seats and individual adjustment tables, Chairman Godahewa said.