Published on : Wednesday, December 4, 2013
Marina Lanka, which plans to set up marinas along Sri Lanka’s coastline, participated in the Commonwealth Business Forum held recently in Colombo. Sri Lankan entrepreneur Indhra Kaushal Rajapaksa has collaborated with marina professional Simon Arrol and Sebastian Devonshire to launch Marina Lanka – a new company dedicated to servicing the pleasure boating industry.
Rajapaksa, said “Sri Lanka is about to get a major boost in its pleasure boating industry, although the port of Galle has for long been a port-of-call for yachtsmen from around the world, it has lacked the infrastructure and modern facilities. We plan to mobilize some of the best experience in the industry to give a major boost to yachting in Sri Lanka.”
With the provision of marinas at intervals around the coast, both Sri Lankans and foreign tourists will be better able to enjoy a range of activities such as sailing, motor-boating, blue-water fishing, and day trips. This will not only open up a whole new leisure and sporting sector for Sri Lankans, it will also make the country more striking to foreign tourists, many of whom presently sit on the beach thinking how wonderful it would be to get out on the water.
In the competitive world of international tourism, Sri Lanka has much to offer and the steady increase in visitor numbers currently being witnessed is most encouraging. But while coastal tourism and beach holidays are booming, the availability of boating and water sports is at present limited.
Simon Arrol, Managing Director of Marina Lanka, said “Sri Lanka is not well known in yachting circles, but last year’s Optimist World Championship Regatta at Trincomalee is likely to be the forerunner of many more regattas and events. I am not suggesting that boating will ever approach the popularity of cricket. It is however, a most pleasurable sport and one that is accessible to people of all ages.”
Tags: Destination News
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