Tourism’s holiday festival Tourism Fest 2016 aims to attract tourists to Colombo

Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority (SLTDA) together with other tourism institutions under the Ministry of Tourism Development and Christian Religious Affairs has organised a holiday fest as a tourist attraction.

The Ministry is making plans to attract both foreign and local tourists to the capital city of Colombo during the upcoming festive season with Tourism Fest 2016.

Tourism Fest 2016 will take place from 20 to 23 December at the Independence Arcade in Colombo.

This year’s edition of Tourism Fest will be a major fillip for event-based tourism conceptualised by Tourism Development Minister John Amaratunga.

Based on an initiative of Tourism Minister John Amaratunga, Tourism Fest aims to transform the peak holiday season in to a mega tourist attraction in Colombo. Tourism Fest 2016 is slated to feature musical shows, cultural shows, seasonal events, food festivals, exhibitions and many more attractions at one location, the Government Information Department says.

The four day festival will include daily musical shows featuring popular bands and artistes, food festival with the participation of leading hotels including all five star hotels, various exhibitions depicting Sri Lanka’s tourist attractions, cultural shows, Christmas carols, fireworks displays etc. There will be loads of entertainment for children as well. The inaugural Tourism Fest last December was a big tourist attraction and this year’s event promises to be bigger and better.

“I want Colombo to be recognised as a city that comes alive during the festive season. Many tourists complain that there is nothing much to do in the city when the sun goes down. Events of this nature will not only entertain tourists but will also be an attraction for the local community,” said Minister Amaratunga.

As part of the Tourism Fest, Minister Amaratunga has requested the corporate community to illuminate their buildings and nearby streets in order to create seasonal ambience in the city. The city’s round-about, main roads, hotels and shopping areas will also be illuminated as part of this program.December is the peak tourist season in Sri Lanka. It is the month that traditionally records the highest number of arrivals to the country. Sri Lanka is poised to record over two million tourist arrivals for the first time in its history this year. Tourism Fest 2016 is expected to cap off a historic year for Sri Lanka Tourism.