LMDtv 1
Sri Lanka’s tourism industry is booming with more and more travellers visiting the island these days. “I think this is an exciting time for Sri Lanka to expand its horizons in different ways – as an incredible destination for tourism, business and connectivity,” Sanjiv Hulugalle noted, during a recent interview aired on LMDtv.
The CEO and General Manager of Cinnamon Life added: “I believe Sri Lanka is beginning an incredible journey and it is going to emerge as an exciting destination for visitors.”
Colombo is increasingly being positioned as a gateway city for both business and leisure travellers to the region, and a destination in its own right.
He elaborated: “Colombo has changed dramatically and become a city where foreigners don’t simply drop by for a day; it has been transformed into one that visitors can explore. It has local businesses creating experiences in various areas such as food, shopping and anything that tells stories. Colombo is also about quality – and that’s a big part of being a global destination.”
Hulugalle observed that the city of today presents a unique offering because it’s connected to the past, history and nostalgia along with connectivity to everything else that Sri Lanka has to offer.
“From places of culture and those of prayer, to beautiful beaches and architecture, Colombo is layered,” he asserted, adding that it is important for the city to showcase its talents in art, music, dance and more: “Bringing everything it has to offer to fruition truly creates a sense of place.”
According to him, Colombo’s connectivity to Sri Lanka’s people and communities is what makes the city business friendly.
Hulugalle noted that “we are also well-connected to the region and a hub where East meets West in many ways. In addition, we’re celebrated in terms of our multicultural approach to living, which enables foreign visitors to get on well with the people of Sri Lanka.”
He continued: “Colombo’s architecture is seen in its beautiful buildings; and some of them are found lining many streets and set against the backdrop of the Indian Ocean. This vista is unique due to the city’s location on the island’s coast. Then there’s our incredible cuisine, which is plated by talented hospitality entrepreneurs.”
In Colombo, everything is encapsulated as a destination and its multifaceted offering attracts multiple travel segments. As Hulugalle explained, “we have travellers from different lands visiting the country to celebrate the melting pot… Travellers can also move around quickly and get their business done speedily due to the city’s connectivity.”
Leisure travellers are spoilt for choice, he noted: “We’ve got amazing sites and it is easier to get around since travel has become more efficient. Sri Lanka offers visitors golden beaches, wildlife sanctuaries, historical sites and a range of places, which are unique to the island.”
Colombo is witnessing a growing inflow of travellers from the region.
“Indians, Bangladeshis, Pakistanis and others from surrounding countries love coming here to do business because it feels like a vacation too in many ways. They can also experience our delicious culinary and cultural offerings, which include art, music and dance,” he posited.
Leisure travellers hail from European nations such as Germany, Italy and the UK as well. He added: “We’re also seeing many visitors from Australia, China and the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries as well.”
“Colombo is a place of authenticity,” Hulugalle maintained. Sometimes, when tourists visit cities around the world, they may lose track of the past. In the case of Colombo however, “the past is a pillar of the present even as Sri Lanka evolves as a nation.” he noted.
It seems as if our lush emerald isle and its exciting capital are looking to the future. “I see this fervour in the faces of the youth who want to make it one of the greatest places on Earth,” he concluded.
