Luxury cruise liner Europa 2 calls at Sri Lanka’s Hambantota Port with over 200 passengers
World renowned Hapag-Lloyd’s luxury cruise liner Europa 2 had docked at Sri Lanka’s southern Hambantota International Port (HIP) last week for an overnight stay.
The local media reported that over 200 passengers from the cruise liner took advantage of the stopover, making day trips to Yala, Bundala, Udawalawe, Kataragama, and Ella.
Europa 2’s visit was the first luxury cruiser in Sri Lanka following the Easter Sunday bombing as well as being the first time a cruise ship did an overnight stop at the Hambantota Port.
According to the media, the fact that Hapag-Lloyd had the confidence to bring their most luxurious cruise ship to dock at HIP is a glowing endorsement to normalcy returning to the country, and Hambantota Port was able to provide the best to facilitate the visit.
The CEO of Hambantota International Port Services (HIPS) Capt. Ravi Jayawickrema has been quoted as saying, “Despite security being tightened within the port premises, our operations teams were able to personally look into speedy passenger movements in and out of the port to visit places of attraction in and around Hambantota within the time frame they had. We made every effort to make their movements hassle free.
“The feedback we have received from the tour operator was extremely positive, as they were more than satisfied with the services rendered by HIPS. With travel advisories being lifted, we hope to see more cruise ships coming into the Hambantota Port.”
“One of the world’s most luxurious cruise ships MS Europa 2, called in Hambantota on June 5-6. This was the first cruise ship that arrived in Sri Lanka after the incidents in April. Since security was a concern for the ship to come to Sri Lanka, we were really happy with the level of security provided by the authorities at the Hambantota Port. All services provided by the Port were excellent. This encourages us to promote more cruise vessels to Hambantota in the future,” Prasanjit Perera, Vice President of Aitken Spence Travels, the local tour operator for Hapag-Lloyd Cruises has told the media.
Europa 2 which was initially on a 12 hour stop at the Hambantota Port had extended its stay for 36 hours.
Hapag-Lloyd’s 500 passenger luxury liner, which is likened to a floating mini resort was awarded 5 star plus by Berlitz Cruise Guide 2019.
OSL take:
The calling of Europa 2 at the Hambantota Port with over 200 passengers is indicative that Sri Lanka has returned to normalcy. The fact is further proven by the extended stay of the cruise liner. With VIP visits to Sri Lanka like that of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday all indications are that the island nation is back in business following the negative impact faced after the Easter Sunday attacks. Given the incentives offered to the tourism sector by the government of Sri Lanka and the international promotions being carried out, tourists are once again returning to the country. Therefore, foreign businesses/investors could explore business/investment opportunities in Sri Lanka’s tourism sector.
| Article Code : | VBS/AT/11062019/Z_6 |