ECD Holidays promotes sports tourism in Sri Lanka

• Partners Football Federation of Sri Lanka for ‘Football Without Borders’

ECD Holidays partnered Football Federation of Sri Lanka (FFSL) in facilitating a 14-day sport tour for ‘Football Without Borders’ team from Switzerland who embarked on a Goodwill Tour to Sri Lanka which commenced on 18 November. The sport tour by the Swiss team continued until 2 December.

The team toured the length and breadth of the country with friendly matches being organised in the districts of Anuradhapura, Jaffna, Gampola, Nuwara Eliya and Matara. The tour also served to promote Sri Lanka not only as a destination in terms of tourism but also to promote Sport Tourism. One of the key objectives here was to increase awareness about the diversity and rich-culture of the country.

ECD Holidays is the leisure-arm of the parent company ECD Global Ltd., one of the leading tourism-solution providers with over three decades of experience having a vast experience in handling MICE events at national level, passenger transportation for Blue-Chip Companies and diplomatic missions as well as manning luxury transportation services such as Travel Desk operations for many leading hotels in Sri Lanka. Primary focus of ECD Holidays is in-bound tourism providing quality-driven and customised Sri Lankan travel experiences for individual travellers and groups. ECD Holidays team led by ECD Chairman Emil Franklin Kronemberg was fully involved and responsible for the complete travel and logistical arrangements and requirements of the visiting team.   

The Swiss team comprised of 25 members including Gianni D’Agostino – Team Captain with 16 players and a staff team of 8 which including media/photography personnel and a physician. Among them were Hüssu Matur – President, Marco Gähler – Coach, Albi Saner – Spokesman, Kathrin Arnold – Physiotherapist and Stephanie Marti – photographer of ‘Football without Borders’. 

The goal of ‘Football Without Borders’ was to lessen the Borders among States through sport by continuing to develop football in countries with lesser resources and equip teams with the basic requirements such as footballs, jerseys, pants and socks. In the process, they wish to make awareness about culture, land, people and allow a mutual insight into the team’s culture as well. Through synergies with relief organisations and football clubs, they also strive for sustainable cooperation.

Emil Kronemberg, Chairman ECD Global ECD Holidays, Anura De Silva, President FFSL & Gisela Schluep, First Secretary, Embassy of Switzerland

Emil Franklin Kronemberg, Chairman of ECD Holidays partnering FFSL for the Swiss team’s visit in Sri Lanka said that his team of holiday specialists were excited to be a part of this great tour and are passionate about planning and organising innovative programmes that match the client’s needs and budgets.

ECD Holidays has shown significant growth in terms of inbound tour operations and handling MICE during the last three years. “Our vision aligns with the contemporary theme of ‘Sports Beyond Borders’ and which also provides an opportunity for sub themes for each sports such as ‘Football Beyond Borders’ which will certainly promote Sri Lanka as a great tourist destination for sports and sporting events,” said Kronemberg.

Presentation of a token of appreciation to Anura De Silva, President FFSL by Emil Kronemberg, Chairman ECD Global ECD Holidays

“We look for new ways to improve our services, while remaining committed to perpetually moving forward to meet and exceed the evolving needs and expectations of our customers and partners. We wish team ‘Football without Borders’ a fruitful stay in Sri Lanka!” he added.