With expansion of capacity on its Gulf network including increased links to Kuwait, Bahrain and Dubai, SriLankan Airlines is promoting its credentials as a holiday destination for travellers from the region through its SriLankan Holidays division.
As well as specialist packages such as the Touch of Ayurveda, a six-night full-board ayurveda retreat costing from just $347 (Dh1.2 billion) per person, there are tours, short-breaks and multi-centre holidays to suit all tastes, according to airline CEO, Peter Hill.
"Where else can you cater to the interests of a steam train fan, gemstone shopper, mountain biker or bird watcher? The traditional image of Sri Lanka has been one of elephants and beaches, but there is a whole lot more to the island, and as the national carrier, we have the expertise to show the visitor the hidden depths of its tourism product," he said.
Following its best ever year for tourism figures, Sri Lanka is now being rediscovered by the world's tour operators, and its potential as a multi-centre destination is being mined by the arrival of international names such as Banyan Tree and Aman Resorts, as well as regional groups including Taj Exotica.
"The relatively compact size of Sri Lanka means that tourists can enjoy several days exploring the mountains and heritage sites such as Kandy and the first millennium city of Sigiriya, and follow this with a week on the coast where the offshore reefs are one of the Indian Ocean's undiscovered treasures," said Hill.
"However, Sri Lanka also offers more a classic steam rail journey through 47 tunnels, viaducts and steep-haul gradients climbing to 2,000 metres above sea level, for instance, and a web of 130 rivers descending from the mountains to the coast offering kayaking and white water rafting on grade one to grade six rapids."
Ayurveda is also mooted as one of the island's key attractions, with authentic treatments available at highly competitive pricing, while another bonus for visitors is the tradition of gem mining, where rubies, sapphires, garnets, moonstones, amethysts, topaz and more are available at near cost price throughout Sri Lanka.
"For visitors from the Gulf, a principal reason to visit Sri Lanka is its proximity and ease of access to the island," said Hill. "But there are many more attractions waiting to be discovered Sri Lanka has been called a world in microcosm, and this is certainly true as far as tourists are concerned."
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