UL backs SL tourism booster Raid Amazones 2022

From left: Tourism Minister Prasanna Ranatunga, SriLankan Airlines Chairman Ashok Pathirage, Raid Amazones Director Logistics Jean Louis Conesa, and SriLankan Airlines Head of Worldwide Sales and Distribution Dimuthu Tennakoon with two SriLankan Airlines cabin crew members

The country’s tourism landscape will receive the much-needed international spotlight, as the world’s biggest female adventure challenge — ‘Raid Amazones’ — is all set to be held in Sri Lanka early next year.

It is expected to attract over 1,000 international travellers, including athletes, officials and cheering squads to Sri Lanka — a major welcoming move for the tourism industry.

The 20th edition of ‘Raid Amazones’ will be held in two legs in 2022 around Sigiriya, Habarana, Kaudulla, and Moragahakanda, in places rich in ecological beauty, cultural heritage and attributes of authentic village life, which will provide uniquely vibrant backdrops to the event. 

The first leg will be from 13-23 March 2022, while the second leg will be held from 27 March to 6 April 2022. 

National Carrier SriLankan Airlines is the Official Airline Partner of the renowned adventure trail, Raid Amazones 2022.

SriLankan Airlines, a member of the oneworld Alliance, resumed operations between Paris and Colombo last week after a lapse of six years. 

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 are 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.

Every year, the event features an attractive tourist destination, whereby its inherent features, such as citizens’ way of life, ecological beauty and culture, are prominently showcased to the world through global media that follow the athletes in their trail. 

The Raid Amazones will bring 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. 

The event will be organised by French-based ZBO and its local partner Connaissance de Ceylan, which has over 40 years of experience within the tourism sector.

SriLankan Airlines, having been a forerunner in the country’s tourism promotion endeavours, expects this to inspire many discerning travellers from France to explore Sri Lanka in the future.

Tourist arrivals have hit a post-COVID all-time high of 22,771 in October, propelling the cumulative figure to over 60,000. Arrivals in the first 10 months were 60,695 — a major development since the reopening of borders on 21 January, but down by 96% from the corresponding period of last year.

Arrivals last month reflect a sharp 68% increase from September, largely influenced by the eased travel restrictions, aggressive tourism promotions, services by more airlines, successful vaccination program and growing consumer confidence.

Sri Lanka was the host country for the 18th edition of Raid Amazones, where the events were concentrated on the Passikudah, Thoppigala, and Kalkudah areas.