Habarana fully equipped to be our tourism focus
Habarana is the subsequent tourism sizzling locale in Sri Lanka! And it is even now occurring! When tourists turn up in Sri Lanka, they will be assessors of a modern globe. Lately the Ministry of Tourism and the Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority arranged a media tour of Habarana in bid to expand the key word that Habarana can be the foremost tourist target on the file. The objective is to bring about in as much travellers as feasible. The concept is obviously Sri Lanka Eternally!
Habarana is undoubtedly a gorgeous spot in Sri Lanka where one could make way to the Minneriya National Park, Hiriwadunna Village and Hiriwadunna Lake. One can instantly see that it has the ability to entice vacationers in huge digits. Incidentally, Minneriya National Park is the spot where there is the biggest elephant congregation in the planet.
Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority, Assistant Director, Palitha Hennayake, indicated out that September 27 is World Tourism day and that has unique consequence to Sri Lanka, as Sri Lanka is a nation that depend on the tourism trade.
Mainly, we need to tell the entire world and the whole of Sri Lanka about Habarana since it is a place that has a massive promise when it comes to enticing vacationers. It is a place that has remarkable and stunning environmental landscapes, and this is one cause why we have chosen to draw awareness to this region the Assistant Director .
Hennayake is very true when he says that Habarana has ecological splendour. The serene waters of the Hiriwadunna Lake is sufficient to put one’s thinking in comfort. The calm exterior of the water and the grassy area has a comforting impact on the thinking. No doubt therefore we confronted a overseas couple on their honeymoon, relishing the moment that only a spot like Habarana can generate.
Ministry of Tourism, Director Tourism and Planning, North Central Province, Krishantha Bopage, added that the topic of World Tourism Day this time is ‘Reconsidering Tourism’.
“In Sri Lanka, Tourism was one of the segments most impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. This was a very significant obstacle to our tourism industry. However, there are tourist influxes in Sri Lanka now. So right now, in Sri Lanka, we must concentrate on how to revive the tourism industry in the country. In other words, we need to ‘rethink’ our approach. So right now, the Tourism Ministry and the SLTDA are doing just that. During the last two or three years, we saw a significant drop in foreign tourist arrivals. However, starting from 2022 we see that the situation is getting better. During the last few years, our tourism industry has been encouraged by local tourists. So that is why the theme, ‘rethinking tourism’ is so crucial to us,” said Bopage.
Seeing is trusting they say, and on the Safari Tour to Minneriya National Park, we saw a sizeable number of tourists taking pictures of the elephants and enjoying . Bopage indicated out that the North Central Province of Sri Lanka can play a critical part in attracting tourists.
“The North Central Province is a territory with literary and historic importance. Anuradhapura and Polonnaruwa were ancient kingdoms in Sri Lanka (Both cities are UNESCO world heritage sites). Therefore this region demands attention. Because it can play a decisive part in getting in tourists. We have found out that not enough foreign tourists visit the North Central Province. That is why a conclusion has been taken to focus on this territory,” added Bopage.
He further asserted that Habarana is a distinctive spot, with Sigiriya and Minneriya positioned nearby. The entire region is vital when it comes to the progress of the Sri Lankan Tourism Industry. “This is why we have chosen to perform a media tour of Habarana. It is identical with the theme –Rethinking Tourism.”
Chairman Tour Operators Association, Anuradhapura, D.B. Sarath, stated that his organisation is looking forward to supporting the tourism industry. The Tour Operators Association is also a stakeholder, which is why it is giving its deepest help to make the media tour a triumph as World Tourism Day is nearly here.
“We also want the tourism industry in Sri Lanka to flourish. This is why we are doing our part to support and strengthen the tourism industry,” said Sarath.
Secretary Provincial Tour Guides Association, Roshan Karunarathna, explained that the North Central Province has great historical significance and beauty. “We can be proud of our North Central Province. This is because it has so much to offer.”
Chairman, Habarana Hoteliers Association, Ruwan Gunawardhana, explained that Habarana has to be a key destination because in a very short duration you can see so much. Therefore it is so lucrative.
“Habarana could certainly become a tourism core. You can visit three safari parks in a matter of a few hours. There is also an admirable Ayurveda centre in Habarana. Therefore I think celebrating World Tourism Day has to include Habarana. It is a blessing to the Sri Lankan Tourism industry.”
Habarana Hoteliers Association, Ajith Ranasinghe, stated that he is thrilled that Habarana is portion of World Tourism Day.
“Habarana is a place that has always been noticed at as a gold mine. That is why I feel that drawing attention to Habarana is so sensible. Travelling in Habarana is a joy for foreign tourists because they can do so much in 24 hours. It won’t take you a long time to visit Sigiriya (a world heritage), Dambulla and Ritigala from Habarana. You can also visit Minneriya and Eco Park in 20 minutes. From here, you can go to Anuradhapura and Polonnaruwa in one hour. Therefore Habarana has an benefit over the rest. I have great prospects for Habarana.”
The Daily News managed to speak to a foreign guest named Clemence at the AmbaSevana resort, and she was full of honor for Sri Lanka.
“This resort I am staying in is a great place and it is so beautiful. The rooms are really fantastic. I think your country Sri Lanka is a very beautiful country. It is wonderful. The people I have met so far are so kind. I am really enjoying myself.”
Habarana is the main location in the North Central Province. There is no shortage of lodging in here. There are tree-houses and four star hotels. In other words, at Habarana you will get comfort and culture. Our visit to Minneriya National Park was a pleasant one. We did not encounter bears or leopards, but we did come very close to a herd of elephants. The thing with elephants is that you never tire of seeing one. They are majestic creatures. The tourists were all agog! For some it must have been the first time they were seeing elephants in touching distance.
And then the tour was over! We left the park at dusk, the woods were dark and the trees were like phantoms
