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In a significant milestone for Sri Lanka's emerging cruise destination status, Virgin Voyages, led by renowned entrepreneur Richard Branson, initiated calls to Sri Lanka on November 13th with its cruise vessel Resilient Lady making its maiden call at the Colombo Port. Resilient Lady, among the four ultra-luxury vessels in the Virgin Voyages fleet, offers state-of-the-art facilities, ensuring a high-end cruise experience. During its inaugural visit to Colombo, the vessel accommodated 2,348 passengers and 1,145 crew members. The Sri Lanka Port Authority (SLPA) and the exclusive local port agent, Inchcape Mackinnon Mackenzie Shipping (Pvt) Ltd, extended a warm welcome to the ship, marked by a plaque exchange ceremony and a cultural show for both crew and passengers.
Inchcape Mackinnon Mackenzie Shipping (Pvt) Limited is a joint venture between the John Keells Group and Inchcape Shipping Services. The John Keells Group’s Transportation Sector is the largest contributor to the bottom line of the Group, consisting of businesses involved in Aviation, Logistics and Ports/Shipping. In a statement, Mr. Zafir Hashim, President – Transportation and Plantation Sectors of John Keells Group said, “This aligns seamlessly with Sri Lanka's strategy to boost tourism. Research indicates that 5-7% of tourists visiting aboard cruise vessels tend to return to the country if served well.”
Inchcape Shipping Services, headquartered in the United Kingdom and a global leader in port agency and marine services, covers 85% of the world's commercial ports with 248 offices in 60 countries. The company's cruise services division holds a global market leadership position in cruise agency and cruise market development consultancy. Mr. Tharaka Nanayakkara, Sri Lanka Country Manager of Inchcape Shipping Services, expressed enthusiasm, stating, "Since our establishment in Sri Lanka in 2021, we are excited about the potential of the country's ports and shipping sector, particularly in cruise tourism. Sri Lanka is strategically positioned to become a regional powerhouse in the cruise tourism sector, and we are collaborating with our global clientele and local stakeholders to turn this vision into reality."
