Record number of tourist arrivals for Kandy Esala Perahera 2012

The world renowned Kandy Esala Perahera taking place in the hill capital during these days, is reported to have attracted a record number of tourists to the country to watch this exotic pageant unique to Sri Lanka.

The sources from Sri Dalada Maligawa confirmed that so far, around 6000 tourists alone have visited the sacred Temple of the Tooth Relic and a figure exceeding 8,000 have watched the row of live pageants touring the streets from 23rd June onwards.

As a result of the rapid influx of tourists to Kandy, almost all city hotels and other 'places of stay' have been occupied more than 80% from the beginning of last week to date. Speaking to Sri Lanka Tourism Promotion Bureau Media Unit, President of Kandy City Hoteliers Association, Rodney Armstrong stated that almost all city hotels in Kandy and other accommodation houses are 80% occupied from the beginning of Esala Perahera Pageant and will fully occupied in next four days. Other service providers related to travel and tourism too are enjoying a productive time during this these days.Foreign media are covering the Perahera for international news wires including mainstream channels like CNN,AFP,NHK etc.

The final Randoli Perahera is scheduled to tour the streets on August 1, for which again a high number of local and foreign participants are expected to be present. Meanwhile Sri Lanka Tourism Promotion Bureau opened up a new Travel Information Centre to support tourists arriving for Kandy Esala Perahera. The information center is located at the Sri Dalada Maligawa premises, equipped with latest travel and tourism related information material, brochures, travel guides, city maps and posters relevant to Kandy Esala Perahera pageant.
 

Some foreign guests in Kandy.