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SriLankan Airlines, the National Carrier of Sri Lanka and a
member of the oneworld airline
alliance, is looking to capitalize on the multi-splendoured charms of their paradise
island home, to draw in more tourists from the GCC countries.
Sri Lanka's fabled natural beauty and its proximity to the
Gulf region, makes the country a popular holiday destination for tourists from
across the world, who are familiar with its many attractions.
SriLankan Airlines is now taking aim at the tourist from the
Gulf region, who is looking for a holiday that offers both the wonders of
nature that the island has been blessed with and the lure of the sun, sand and
surf that the country abounds in.
"With convenient daily flights to Colombo from Dubai,
Abu Dhabi, Doha, Riyadh, Muscat, Bahrain and Kuwait, SriLankan Airlines now
offers 68 flights a week from the region to our home base for tourists from the
region, who are looking to experience the pleasures of a quick break or an
extended holiday for them and their families, just a short flight away,"
said Saminda Perera, General Manager Marketing, SriLankan Airlines.
Whether they are looking for a peaceful beach holiday along
our miles and miles of unspoilt beaches on either coast, or the thrill of
taking on the monster waves of Arugam Bay, our world-renowned international
surfer's paradise, Sri Lanka has something for everyone.
Located
midway down Sri Lanka's East Coast, the picturesque Arugam Bay, with its
crescent-shaped stretch of soft sandy beach, has become a sought after stop on
the world surfing circuit, with leading interantional board jockeys and surf
riders lining up to take on the challenge of the famed point break.
It's
a tiny place, with a population of a few hundred, and everything is dotted
along a single road which parallels the coast, the epitome of the laid-back
beach scene that first drew surfers and sun-seekers to Sri Lanka.
For
those not so keen on riding the breaks, Arugam Bay has plenty of other draws:
beachfront guesthouses, ocean-side restaurants and a serene and unhurried vibe
that’s a world away from the more crowded resorts of the West Coast..
Arugam
Bay also makes a great base for several adventures in the surrounding
hinterland. During the low season (November to April) things get extremely
quiet and many places close altogether, but it can also be a serene time to
visit, with few tourists and verdant landscapes.
Recent statistics indicate that Sri Lanka received 107, 635
tourists from the GCC countries in 2017, a growth of 6.5%, with the UAE
figuring as the major source market in the region.
Having served the sector for years, SriLankan Airlines is a
known entity on the Middle East- Colombo route, with the airline's famed
standards of service and hospitality, being one of the chief attractions for
tourists and business travellers choosing to fly SriLankan Airlines.
SriLankan Airlines today flies an all Airbus fleet, which
includes the state-of-the-art A330-300 and A320neo aircraft connecting to 105
destinations in 47 countries (including codeshare operations). Launched in
1979, Sri Lanka’s National Carrier is an award winning airline with a solid
reputation for service, comfort, safety, reliability, and punctuality.
