TRAVEL

‘Visit Sri Lanka’ February program begins :

Adventure tourism, sports focussed

Under the Sri Lanka Tourism’s Visit Sri Lanka 2011 Program, the month of February is dedicated to sports and adventure tourism. On February 13, an international golf tournament was agonized by the Sri Lanka Tourism Promotion Bureau and Victoria Golf and Country Resort which kick start the monthly event calendar for February with the participation of several foreign tourists.

Sri Lanka Tourism Promotion Bureau is planning to make the country as a venue for sports and adventure sports tourism and to target many foreign tourists to the country.

Today’s event attracted over hundred foreign tourists from different parts of the world. In addition to that there were 25 local golf players participated for the event.

“Country’s natural setting and climate provides a huge potential to develop sports and adventure tourism in future and we have identified “Sports and Adventure Tourism ‘as a key element in our marketing and promotional program.

Further we are planning to organize several many sports and adventure sports events with support of industry and stakeholders in the month of February under the Visit Lanka Program to highlight this element globally” Sri Lanka Tourism Promotion Bureau acting Managing Director Malraj B Kiriella said.

Sri Lanka Tourism Promotion Bureau along with the tourism industry organizing several attractive events within the month of February which includes a cross country marathon from Point Pedru to Hambantota, an expedition of gem mines in Rathnapura on February 19.

Worlds Sailing Regatta in Negombo Beach with the yachting association of Sri Lanka, white water rafting and trekking in the knuckles range, surfing and beach volleyball tournament in the southern coast are included in the program of events for February.

Further, Sri Lanka Tourism Promotion Bureau will organize a special seminar on “Sports Tourism” on February 24 which will be followed by a display of “Angampora”- traditional martial arts.

The month’s program of activities will have main focus on the ICC cricket tournament which will start their matches in Sri Lanka on February 20.

Sri Lanka tourism has already introduced special tour packages to bring down tourists to the country during the period.

Further Sri Lanka Tourism Promotion Bureau planning to organize publicity and promotion programs targeting visiting media and foreign tourists.

Sri Lanka Tourism Bureau believes that above all programs would make setting to achieve the target of 2.5 tourists by 2016.