On May 15, 2024, Hambantota International Port welcomed two distinguished cruise ships to its docks. The MV Silver Cloud, owned by Silversea Cruises, a luxury brand of the Royal Caribbean Group, arrived from Cochin with 232 passengers, while TUI’s Mein Shiff5, arriving from Langkawi, brought 2,434 passengers. Among the passengers of Mein Shiff5, a group
Sri Lanka recently participated in the Arabian Travel Market (ATM) held in Dubai, UAE, joining a global gathering of industry professionals. The event, which ran for three days and drew over 46,000 attendees from 160 countries, provided a platform for networking and showcasing Sri Lanka’s tourism offerings. Among the notable figures representing Sri Lanka at
Sri Lanka’s tourism sector, once a promising source of foreign exchange earnings, faces significant challenges that hinder its growth and competitiveness in the global market. Despite its rich cultural heritage and natural beauty, the country struggles with issues ranging from political instability to regulatory shortcomings and inadequate infrastructure. These obstacles have resulted in a decline
Sun Siyam Pasikudah, an upscale resort situated on the idyllic beaches of the East and a part of the renowned Sun Siyam Resorts based in the Maldives, is set to make its debut at the prestigious Sancharaka Udawa trade show 2024. This event, scheduled for May 17 and 18 at the BMICH’s Hall B, specifically
Indian airlines are on track to dominate the country’s international air passenger traffic, with projections from Credit Rating Information Services of India (CRISIL) indicating their share could reach 50% by the fiscal year 2027-28, up from 43% previously. This surge is fueled by Indian carriers’ expansion strategies, such as increasing their fleet, introducing new routes,
China has announced an extension of visa-free travel privileges for citizens of 12 countries until December 31, 2025, allowing unrestricted entry for short stays. The list of countries included in this extension comprises Austria, Belgium, France, Germany, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, Malaysia, Netherlands, Spain, and Switzerland. According to statements from Chinese authorities, this decision aims
Seven regional tea plantation companies and the Sri Lanka Tourism Alliance have joined hands to establish the Pekoe Trail Destination Management Organisation (DMO), marking a significant collaboration between the tea and tourism sectors. The formation of this DMO, facilitated by the Tourism Resilience Project, reflects a pioneering effort to ensure the long-term sustainability and effective
From left: Alhambra Hotels Chairman Fahmy Cader, Raina Cader, Managing Director Imthiaz Cader and Raisa Cader – Pix by Ruwan Walpola Alhambra Hotels recently marked a significant milestone of 50 years in the hospitality industry, commemorating this achievement with President Ranil Wickremesinghe as the Chief Guest. Founded by prominent businessman Jabir A. Cader, the hotel
Emirates Airlines has announced that Colombo will be one of the initial destinations to be served by its new A350 aircraft, set to commence service in September 2024. The airline’s fourth daily service to Colombo, EK654/655, will transition to the A350 from January 1, 2025. This move comes as part of Emirates’ plan to introduce
Tourism in Sri Lanka experienced a notable decline in April, with international visitor numbers dropping below the 200,000 mark for the first time in 2024. Provisional data from the Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority revealed that tourist arrivals totaled 148,867 during the month. While this marked a 41 percent increase compared to the same period