The interest in Sri Lanka as a cruise destination is growing with its scenic beauty, diversity of its product offering, access to seaports located in Colombo, Galle, Hambantota and Trincomalee and the positive endorsement by Lonely Planet.

2618 tourists arrived at the Hambantota International Port (HIP) in June, on board the MV Empress of Cordelia Cruises. The cruise liner, which made 4 calls at HIP within the month, carries tourists from the Chennai Port on scheduled tours.

The ship calls at 4 ports in Sri Lanka i.e. Hambantota, Trincomalee, Colombo and KKS. It is the first time the country has experienced such a cruise circuit.

Passengers disembarked at HIP to visit several tourist attractions and take day trips to places such as the Diyaluma Waterfall, a nearby turtle hatchery, and treks through Yala, Udawalawe, and Bundala national parks.

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