Monthly Archive for August, 2023

‘Arugam Bay’ to be transformed

Published on 26/08/2023 in front page. 1 Comment Tags: , , , , , .

….. into high-income tourist destination

 President Ranil Wickremesinghe who toured Arugam Bay yesterday greets a tourist

  • President announces plans for 10-year strategic roadmap encompassing two distinct phases of development strategies aimed at positioning region as a premier travel and leisure hub
  • Urgent measures to address land title challenges for businesses

President Ranil Wickremesinghe yesterday announced the swift implementation of a comprehensive plan to elevate the Arugam Bay tourist zone into a highly desirable destination for both local and international tourists, with the potential to generate substantial revenue.

The President emphasised the importance of meticulous planning in identifying areas that necessitate development, with the intention of executing these initiatives systematically. The President further highlighted the prospect of achieving significant income by promoting water sports such as water skiing, which holds popularity along the Arugam Bay coastline.

Wickremesinghe conveyed these rema-rks during a meeting held with key stakeholders in the tourism industry within the Ampara district. The gathering brought together Government officials and industry professionals, aimed at addressing pertinent challenges that have emerged within the tourism sector.

The President underscored that global reports predict tourism to contribute 10% of the global gross domestic product by the year 2035. He stressed that Sri Lanka should proactively prepare for this shift and highlighted the tourism sector’s potential to directly address the nation’s financial challenges.

Wickremesinghe also outlined a two-phase development plan for the tourism industry in the Eastern Province, with the ambitious goal of completing it within the next decade.

Furthermore, during his ongoing tour of the Eastern Province, President conducted an inspection of Arugam Bay and Peanut Farm beaches in the Ampara district. The President personally assessed the areas’ shortcomings and engaged in cordial conversations with the tourists present there.

Following the site visit, President Wickremesinghe engaged in discussions with the local business community to gain insights into the challenges faced within the tourism sector in the area. This comprehensive engagement reflects the President’s commitment to actively addressing the needs and potential of the Eastern Province’s tourism industry.

In the process of developing the Arugam Bay Coastline into a prominent tourist destination, a proposal was put forth to relocate the existing fishing port to an alternative location, equipped with necessary facilities for fishermen. This proposal was conveyed to the President by MP W.D. Weerasinghe. In response, the President emphasised the urgency of transforming this region into a dedicated tourism area while taking swift action on the proposal.

The President’s attention was also drawn to the challenges arising from the absence of permanent property deeds for business premises within the local tourism industry. President Ranil Wickremesinghe stressed the importance of promptly submitting a comprehensive report detailing these issues, with an expectation for viable solutions to be presented.

Another key concern addressed was the availability of drinking water for both business establishments and visiting tourists in the area. Recognizing that the construction of the proposed ‘Hada Oya’ drinking water project might take several more years, President Wickremesinghe directed officials to explore the installation of establishing water treatment plants at existing natural water sources, with assistance from the Navy to address these multifaceted challenges in the pursuit of transforming Arugam Bay as a premier tourist destination while ensuring the well-being of the local community and visiting tourists.

source:
https://www.ft.lk/front-page/Arugam-Bay

1. Go Surfing

Published on 13/08/2023 in front page. 0 Comments

Top Things To Do In Sri Lanka
This is an extract from a not-so-well informed Australian article.
They down under always call AbaY “”AraGUM””.
And don’t even know that we are on the EAST Coast 😉

2. Aragum Bay

On the west coast of Sri Lanka, there is a popular beach that offers bigger and better waves that is an awesome spot for surfing called Aragum Bay. This is where you’ll find a lot of surfers hanging out waiting to catch a wave. The season is different than Hikkaduwa’s however, so make sure to check when surfing on the west coast is popular.

Arugam Bay, with its perfect waves, became our favorite spot for surfing. Even as beginners, we enjoyed the thrill of riding the waves in this surfer’s paradise. But surfing is not all Arugam Bay offers. Its relaxed vibe and beautiful beaches make it a perfect getaway.

Make sure to explore the local cuisine and the nightlife of Arugam Bay. The delectable seafood, coupled with lively beach parties, made our stay unforgettable. If you’re seeking adventure or just wish to chill, Arugam Bay is an excellent choice.

source (full article):
https://theplanetd.com/best-things-to-do-in-sri-lanka/

SL being promoted as wedding destination

Published on 04/08/2023 in front page. 0 Comments

……..venue among US and Canadian citizens

Plans in place to hold Hippie Festival next year in Arugam Bay

By Hiran H.Senewiratne

US- based and Sri Lankan owned AJ Events & Productions and Ceylon Creative Studios have taken the initiative to promote Sri Lanka as a wedding destination venue for US and Canadian citizens, which would bring a considerable amount of foreign reserves into the country, their Founding Director, Global Operations Keith Bates said.

“Sri Lanka is an ideal summer wedding destination for Americans and Canadians, especially for Sri Lankan expatriates in the USA and Canada. Above US $ 100,000 could be earned from a wedding, which is a three- night pack that includes airfare, accommodation, reception and other related matters. So far we have received several inquiries, including some from US citizens, Bates told The Island Financial Review.

Bates added: “We will be launching our US office for that purpose in New York and we are already being supported by Sri Lanka Tourism and other related entities.

“We are moving to a new stage of promoting Sri Lanka as a Destination Wedding Venue for USA and Canada. Ceylon Creative Studios’ wedding brand is growing in New York, Los Angeles, the Mid-West and Canada. We are also experienced in Destination Wedding video productions.

“Our team comprises Oshi Perera – Director Admin & Finance / Business Partner AJ Events & Productions, Reshan Hangiligedara – Founder / Cinematographer / Photographer / Retouch-Artist Ceylon Creative Studios NYC, USA, Eshani Santiago – Makeup Artist / Operations & Creative Producer Ceylon Creative Studios NYC, USA and Georgio Malouf – Ceylon Creative Studios NYC, USA.

“Apart from that, for the first time in South Asia, a Hippie Festival will be organized in Arugam Bay next year and such an event would generate a huge amount of foreign reserves for the country.

“The Hippie concept is increasing in popularity throughout the world and per year more than 1000 Hippies visit Sri Lanka. These Hippies also bring considerable sums of foreign currency into Sri Lanka and for this event we are expecting more than 3000 Hippies, including their spouses.

“This event would attract the European region as well and we are preparing to add value and more glamour to this event by arranging to provide maximum enjoyment for our guests.

“At present we are in the process of collecting data on the number of rooms available and other requirements and the government, especially Sri Lanka Tourism, is also assisting us.

“Ceylon Creative Studios is a premium creative production studio headquartered in the USA, that specializes in crafting cinematic visuals that tell captivating stories.

“The company’s expertise lies in our adaptability and our pursuit of quality, using cutting-edge technology, like Synthasia and Chat GPT, for brainstorming, scripting, and ideation.

“At Ceylon Creative Studios, we pride ourselves on our strong team leadership and quality control measures. Ensuring every project meets our exacting standards, we provide rich, immersive experiences that resonate with audiences and leave a lasting impression.”

source:
https://island.lk/sl-being-promoted-as-wedding-destination-venue-among-us-and-canadian-citizens/