Arrival of MS. Costa Neo Classica: Encouraging cruise tourism sector to flourish

Sri Lanka Tourism proved that cruise tourism in Sri Lanka is becoming an extremely popular segment in the tourism sector, with the arrival of another passenger vessel which made her graceful visit to the Colombo harbour on 21 November, with a cruise schedule planned for 14 nights starting from Maldives. She was given a warm welcome blended with Sri Lankan hospitality and the cultural elegance of Sri Lanka, as the tourists watched with interest the cultural items and dance performances, which gave a new experience. 

She started her journey on 18 November from Male, Maldives and will continue to sail through Mormugao, (Goa), Manglore, and Cochin, India, and will return to Maldives on 1 December. The cruise liner arrived around 6 a.m. on 21 November and returned around 5 p.m. on the same day to India.

The vessel belongs to the Costa Crociere cruise company and the Exotic Holiday international was the local Excursion agent for coordinating with the cruise company and enabling the vessel to stop over in Sri Lanka. The passengers were able to explore and have a different experience by visiting some of the key attractions of Sri Lanka, including the Pinnawala elephant orphanage, Kelaniya temple and the tea estate in Akuressa. It was completed with the Colombo City tour, enabling the passengers to have a run through of the busy commercial capital of Sri Lanka. The cruise carried 1,200 passengers on board while 850 of the visitors joined the sightseeing tour. 

The visitors highly appreciated the cultural dance performances which was a new experience for them to enjoy. The need of a shuttle service and a port taxi service, banking facilities were requested by the tourists to further develop the passenger facilities. As per the initiative taken by the Sri Lanka Tourism Promotion Bureau, arrangements have been made to welcome each cruise calling with a cultural performance to highlight and give them a glimpse of the Sri Lankan culture and tradition. 

This graceful beauty has the maximum capacity of carrying 1,420 passengers and has a crew of 610. She is 722ft (220m) of length and consists of 2 main restaurants, 7 bars and cafes, 2 swimming pools, 4 Jacuzzis, jogging track, spa with Turkish bath, beauty salon and fitness centre. There are many modes of entertainment and luxury including other facilities such as a shopping centre, meeting room, photo gallery, and also a medical centre to attend to the passenger’s healthcare needs. 

Speaking on the arrival, Rohan Jayasinghe, Head of Operations, cruises – Europe /Belarus and Scandinavian countries of Exotic Holidays international mentioned that Sri Lanka can attract more luxury passenger cruises, since Sri Lanka has the capacity to handle the luxury and larger passenger vessels. More passenger facilities should increase and be up graded in this regard. Cruise terminals also should meet up to those requirements. Colombo port is having one passenger terminal, but it should be operated in a more effective way. Considered with European passenger terminals, Sri Lanka needs to improve more, he further mentioned. 

The new chairman of Ports Authority, ParakramaDissanayake and the management of the Ports Authority have taken the crucial initiative of promoting cruise tourism and developing the port as required in order to facilitate the requirements of the cruise passengers. 

MS. Costa Neo Classica will make her regular port of call to Sri Lanka in every two weeks in this season combining Maldives, Sri Lanka and different ports in India getting tourists from Maldives. The arrival of passenger vessels to Sri Lanka further emphasises the fact that the cruise tourism industry in Sri Lanka will have a promising future in enhancing the tourism sector, bringing a good source of income to the country. With four natural harbours in store, Sri Lanka proves to be an interesting destination and an exciting stop over for high spending tourists from European countries to prefer Sri Lanka as their next holiday destination.