Hayleys Tours returns as Official Travel Partner for IRONMAN 70.3 Colombo 2019

Leading Sri Lankan travel solutions provider, Hayleys Tours announced that the company will once again serve as Official Travel Partner to the second edition of the globally famed triathlon: IRONMAN 70.3 Colombo.

Having previously attracted over 880 participants together with 2,300 friends and family to Sri Lanka from 64 countries in its first edition alone, Hayleys Tours will be working in close partnership with official licensee, Pro-Am Serendib, and the Sri Lanka Tourism Promotion Bureau to expand participation in next year’s event which is scheduled to take place on 24 February 2019. 

In its capacity as Official Travel Partner, Hayleys Tours will manage all ground handling arrangements for foreign participants, offering a complete range of services including accommodation, transportation and extended holiday options.

The world famous sporting event will be part of a series of Triathlon races held globally under the purview of the World Triathlon Corporation. It comprises a 1.2 mile swim, 56 mile bike ride and 13.1 mile run, all of which add up to the eponymous 70.3 miles from which the contest derives its name. 

“Having actively engaged in the very first edition of IRONMAN 70.3 Colombo. We at Hayleys Tours consider it a true privilege to be supporting such a prolific event. We were privileged to witness several inspiring performances by athletes who had formed unity teams from all corners of Sri Lanka, and several visually impaired athletes who bravely used the competition to showcase the indomitable spirit that drives IRONMAN athletes across the globe.

“In hosting events of this calibre, we are able to shine a light on Sri Lanka and provide new ways for international visitors to connect with our nation and its people, while providing a valuable boost to our tourism and hospitality industry. In that regard, Hayleys Tours looks forward to working in partnership with Pro-Am Serendib and the SLTPB in order to further improve and expand on the tremendous success of IRONMAN 70.3 Colombo,” Hayleys Tours Director Amith Sumanapala stated.

With the success of the first edition of the triathlon, Sri Lanka became the first country in South Asia to ever host an of IRONMAN 70.3 event. Taking place in the heart of Colombo, last year’s event commenced at Galle Face Green with a swim through the clear waters of the Indian Ocean, followed by a flat and fast bike course and running section that travelled through Colombo city, past the Old Parliament Building and the historic Port of Colombo.

In the 2018 post-event survey, Sri Lanka achieved a 91.5% Overall Athlete Satisfaction rating – a whole 4-points above the global average – serving as a clear indication for the potential of next year’s event to draw return participants keen to enjoy Sri Lankan hospitality and an enthusiastic crowd to cheer on through the event. Notably, the event was estimated to have contributed in excess of $ 3 million in direct revenue alone towards the national economy during the event, while many athletes and attendees also chose to take extended tours of the island even after the race was completed. 

Currently one of the largest on-going sporting events in the world, the IRONMAN triathlon is widely considered one of the most challenging single-day sporting events in the world. Pro-Am Serendib Ltd. is the official licensee of the World Triathlon Corporation and owner of the IRONMAN global triathlon brand.