SL to host world’s biggest female adventure challenge ‘Raid Amazones’

Minister of Tourism Development and Christian Affairs John Amaratunga with Eastern Province Governor Rohitha Bogollagama at the media briefing. Deputy Minister of National Integration, Reconciliation and Official Languages Seyed Ali Zahir Moulana, Embassy of France in Sri Lanka Cultural and Cooperation Counsellor Jean-Philippe Gavois, Sri Lanka Tourism Promotion Bureau Chairman Dehan Seneviratne, Raid Amazones Organiser Alexandre Dabanne and Chandra Wickramasinghe, Chairman, Connaissance De Ceylan, Ground Handling agent for Raid Amazones 2018 were also present

‘Raid Amazones’ (www.raidamazones.com), the world’s biggest female adventure challenge is to be held in Sri Lanka in two legs in 2018/19. 

The first leg will be held from 11 to 19 October 2018 and again in 2019 from 23 to 31 March. The event will be held in the East coast of Sri Lanka in and around Passikudha, Thoppigala and Kalkudah. The event launch held at the Ceylon Hotel School, Monara Restaurant, was organised by Connaissance De Ceylan in collaboration with the Ministry of Tourism. 

This international event is held once a year in a different country with around 500 to 600 participants competing in a week long multi-sport adventure challenge. In teams of two or three, the participants will compete in challenges such as: Orienteering; Cycling; Canoeing; Running; and Archery. All the activities designed to test the skill, determination and teamwork of the contestants.

This 100% female event provides an opportunity for women to test their mental and physical endurance all whilst enjoying the beautiful environment and enthralling culture of the host country. The increasing popularity of fitness and wellbeing coupled with a growing desire for adventure makes this the perfect event for women who want to push themselves out of their comfort zone and enjoy the adventure of a lifetime. The challenging nature of the Raid Amazones helps empower and develop a spirit of intense bonding, cooperation and support between all the women taking part.

The 18th edition of the Raid Amazones will return to Sri Lanka in 2018/19for the third time. Previous editions being held in 2004 and2009 with the participation of 225 and 138 female adventurers, respectively. However, this edition stands out as it showcases the less travelled East coast of the country. The events will be spread around the east coast, providing much needed exposure to the relatively newer east coast tourism sector as well as showcasing the beauty, potential and viability of the formerly war-torn region. Locations, such as Thoppigala, have been seldom visited by tourist and will provide the ideal backdrop for events. Raid Amazon is likely to play a key role in promoting and incentivizing more adventure-based tourism events to come to Sri Lanka and the east coast. 

In addition, the Raid Amazones comes with immense international media coverage for the event via print, television, radio, internet and social media providing excellent exposure for Sri Lanka as a country and tourism destination. This coverage will create international publicity and awareness for the host destination estimated to be worth around $10 million. Showcasing Sri Lanka as a diversified, eco-friendly and compact destination that future travellers should include in their holidays plans. Furthermore, the coverage will help Sri Lanka brand itself as a top adventure tourism destination, a sector which has not yet met its full potential within the country.

The event will be organised by French based ZBO and their local partner Connaissance de Ceylan, which have 35 years of experience within the tourism sector. Connaissance is a company whose aim is to pursue emerging trends whilst preserving the true essence of holidays in relation to Sri Lanka’s rich and long eco-cultural heritage. Today, their major subsidiaries that include Theme Resorts & Spas Ltd. and CDC Events & Travels Ltd. play a major role in the hospitality industry. Among other contributions, they re-pioneered tourism in the East coast, after the conflict that devastated tourism in the region, by building Maalu Maalu Resort & Spa in Passikudha. By hosting Raid Amazones in the East Coast, Connaissance hopes to give a boost to tourism and the economy.