The transportation and logistics arm of the Hayleys Group, Advantis has signed a partnership with India’s top cruise line, Cordelia Cruises to usher in a new wave of in-bound luxury tourists to Sri Lanka.
Leveraging their newly forged partnership, Advantis Travel and Aviation will serve as the General Sales Agent, while Advantis Group subsidiary Clarion Shipping will serve as Port Agent for Cordelia Cruises in Sri Lanka, says a press statement.
Cordelia Cruises says it aims to revolutionise the tourism market in the region by offering an extraordinary cruise experience through its crown jewel, The Empress, an iconic vessel with 796 cabins in five categories for receiving 1800 passengers.
The statement adds that the collaboration with Advantis marks a milestone in Sri Lanka’s efforts to revitalise inbound tourism and capitalise on the island’s significant untapped potential as an international hotspot for cruise tourism. Embarking on a cruise journey to Sri Lanka opens up a world of thrilling shore excursions for travellers, with Jaffna, Hambantota, and Trincomalee serving as bases.
Cordelia Cruise says that these exceptional locations offer an opportunity to embark on unforgettable adventures that showcase the very best of Sri Lanka’s rich heritage, breathtaking natural beauty, and vibrant cultural diversity. A significant boost to the Sri Lankan tourism industry is anticipated, attracting an estimated 80,000 tourists within the first four months alone, it adds.
This surge is set to unlock significant commercial opportunities for the tourism value chain, drive economic growth and position Sri Lanka as a premier destination for discerning travellers, providing a timely impetus to the country’s travel and tourism industry.
“Sri Lanka is truly one of the most uniquely diverse holiday destinations in the Asian region. We are proud to be the very first cruise operation to incorporate this paradise island into our growing offering of exceptional cruise holidays. Combined with the invaluable support of our local partners Advantis, and the Hayleys Group, we see immense growth potential in synergistically integrating Sri Lankan and Indian destinations into a single, unforgettable luxury travel and hospitality experience,” says Jurgen Bailom, CEO of Cordelia Cruise.
“One of Sri Lanka’s most urgent national priorities is to ensure a rapid increase in tourist arrivals. We believe that this partnership holds the potential to significantly boost arrivals, and over the medium-long term, attract an entirely new segment of travellers to our shores,” says Hayleys Group Chairman and Chief Executive Mohan Pandithage.
“We are pleased to partner with Cordelia Cruises as their General Sales Agent and Port Agent in Sri Lanka. This partnership promises to channel much-needed support for Sri Lanka’s resurgent tourist industry, and we are confident that this partnership will help our nation to promote its attractions year-round. As a pioneer in transportation and logistics, with special expertise in maritime services, we are focused on supporting all opportunities for generating growth in travel and tourism,” says Advantis Managing Director Ruwan Waidyaratne.
Passengers aboard Cordelia Cruises will be cruising through the island on exotic 5-night itineraries starting from Chennai.
The statement adds that Advantis is Sri Lanka’s most diversified transportation and logistics provider, with over six decades of experience and operations spread across Bangladesh, India, Indonesia, the Maldives, Myanmar, Singapore and Thailand. Backed by the blue-chip multinational conglomerate Hayleys PLC, Advantis is at the forefront of the logistics and construction industries providing end-to-end solutions covering Integrated Logistics, Projects and Engineering, Marine and Energy, International Freight Management and Travel and Aviation.