08th December 201, www.island.lk
American cruise operator Zegrahm Expeditions has included Sri Lanka in its 
destinations list for 2011, a report filed in USA Today said."The adventure cruise operator is rolling out a series of voyages that include stops in little-visited Sri Lanka — a first for the 20-year-old company," the report said.
It said Zegrahm would give adventure travelers the chance to explore Sri Lanka’s lush tropical forests, white-sand beaches and rich biodiversity, as well as cultural sights, including a stopover in Kandy.
"The li
ne plans four voyages that stop in Sri Lanka in 2011, all on the 110-passenger Clipper Odyssey:
The Bay of Bengal & the Andaman Sea (Jan. 17 – Feb. 6, 2011) and
India and the Maldives with Sri Lanka and Lakshadweeps (Dec. 17, 2011 – Jan. 3, 2012) voyages each include two days in Sri Lanka. Passengers will visit 1000-year-old cultural sites including the Golden Temple of Dambulla, the largest and best-preserved cave temple complex in Sri Lanka; and the Temple of the Tooth, which houses the tooth of Lord Bhudda encased in a gold casket. These expeditions both overnight in the village of Habarna,"
USA Today said.
"Splendors of India with Sri Lanka (Feb. 1 – 17, 2011) and Southern India by Sea with Sri Lanka (Dec. 7 – 21, 2011) include a full-day exploration of Galle that includes a visit to its Dutch colonial era fort (a World Heritage Site) and the Poorvarama Temple. Travelers spend a second day in the Sri Lankan highlands visiting the Temple of the Tooth and other sites.
On the Splendours of India voyage participants also will overnight in Kandy, the capital of Sri Lanka’s Hill Country," the report said.
Lloyds Registry of London removed Sri Lanka from its war-risk earlier this year, almost a year after the 30 year old conflict ended in May 2009, which greatly increased the potential for trade and cruise lines to increase their calls.
While Colombo is an established commercial port, and Hambantota in the South being developed as another, the government intends to develop the port of Galle into marina to attract adventure tourism and professional yachters.
Industry analysts said authorities should also try to improve facilities for cruise lines in Colombo. "Being the country’s capital with a lot to offer, steps must be taken to make Colombo cruise-friendly too," an analyst said.
Related Info:
Latest destination for adventure cruise company Zegrahm: Sri Lanka
Officials from the Sri Lanka Tourism Promotion Bureau and Sri Lanka Ports Authority welcomed the vessel ‘Arcadia’ which called on Colombo yesterday (Feb. 02). The luxury carrier, owned by UK based company Carnival PLC, had more than 2,100 tourists from Britain, Australia, New Zealand and Brazil. Local excursion tour operator Gemini Tours and Travels was soon busy conducting tourists from the ship to prearranged destinations; Colombo, Kandy and Pinnawala. The vessel is scheduled to leave for Thailand, its next destination.
