S
ri Lanka is set to launch a campaign promoting Trincomalee and Arugam Bay to boost marine tourism and attract higher-spending tourists, announced Tourism Minister Harin Fernando.
“We will kick off a marine tourism initiative in August,” Minister Fernando informed reporters at the Presidential Media Centre on Monday.
“We aim to establish Trincomalee as a global brand, and Arugam Bay already has strong recognition.”
“Our focus will be on deep-sea diving in both Arugam Bay and Trincomalee to enhance marine tourism in the country.”
Located on the island’s Eastern Coast, Trincomalee and Arugam Bay experience sunny weather in August, while beach tourism spots in the South and Western coasts are affected by monsoon rains.
Sri Lanka anticipates welcoming 2.3 million tourists in 2024, with a focus on attracting high-end visitors.
“Currently, the average tourist spends $180, but we aim to have 20-30% of our visitors spending between $300 and $400 next year,” Fernando explained.
Fernando acknowledged that Sri Lanka faces competition from regional tourism hotspots such as the Maldives, Thailand, and Singapore.
To attract more foreign tourists, Fernando emphasized the need to develop the water sports industry.
“We are surrounded by the ocean, yet we don’t have a single yacht. We need investments in catamarans and other watercraft,” Fernando said. “That’s why we are promoting deep-sea diving. It’s a high-end sport.”
In May, the Sri Lanka Tourism Promotion Bureau announced plans to host a water festival in Trincomalee, Arugam Bay, and Kalpitiya to highlight Sri Lanka’s potential for water sports.
