Colombo City Tour celebrates one year of enchanting trips for tourists

Wednesday, 19 January 2011 00:03 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

The Colombo City Tour, the first open deck city tour operated in a striking red double decker will celebrate its first anniversary on Sunday, 23 January 2011.

It is a unique venture launched by the Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority, in collaboration with Ebert Silva Holidays (Pvt) Ltd. with the assistance of the Sri Lanka Transport Board. With its charming logo that includes frangipani flowers symbolising the connectivity with the city and serendipity. At present the Colombo City Tour operates around the city three days a week — Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays — with plans to further increase the frequency with an added choice of tours in the near future.

With Sri Lanka taking off to greater economic heights and the tourism industry playing a pivotal role in boosting and propelling the country towards achieving those goals, the Colombo City Tour is one of the unique ventures spearheaded by Malraj Kiriella, Acting Managing Director of the Sri Lanka Tourism Promotion Bureau.

Managing Director of Ebert Silva Holidays, Rajini de Silva Mendis said that many stumbling blocks and ‘difficult corners’ were encountered during the past year. “It is to be expected when first introducing any new product; but we have taken them on and seen them through. We would like to take this opportunity to extend our appreciation to Sri Lanka Tourism for the encouragement and support and the Sri Lanka Transport Board for their committed contribution.”

With regard to the future of the Colombo City Tour and the industry as a whole Mendis elaborated, “This venture portrays a unique experience Sri Lanka’s foremost city has to offer to its visitors from around the world, whilst showcasing its unmatched tapestry of various cultural influences and history. This is only the start and other leading cities in the island should follow with this concept soon. I believe that here and now is the long awaited time for all of us to make a unique contribution to help realise our dream, the dream of all Sri Lankans – Sri Lanka’s Dream.

Ebert Silva, a pioneer and legend in Sri Lanka’s travel and tourism is indeed proud to be in collaboration with Sri Lanka Tourism in making another distinct contribution towards the industry through the Colombo City Tour, and contributing to make Sri Lanka attain its due place in the global map.”

The first anniversary celebrations will commence at 4 p.m. on 23 January 2011 with the presence of Dr. Nalaka Godahewa, Chairman, Sri Lanka Tourism together with other senior officials, and invitees including that of all city hotels and the media among others, at the Colombo Galle Face Hotel. There will be an Anniversary Colombo City Tour with a live commentary followed by refreshments provided by the Galle Face Hotel, Colombo.

The evening sight-seeing tour every Friday synergises with the ‘Feel Sri Lanka’ show whilst the morning tours on Saturdays and Sundays are comprehensive tours with stops at the National Museum, Wolfendhal Church, Gangarama Seema Malakaya and the Independence Square with sightseeing covering most parts of Colombo. All tours include a live commentary in English by a professional guide with refreshments included for the morning tours.