This year’s first cruise ship that docked at the Hambantota International Port (HIP) was TUI’s Mein Schiff 5, which berthed at 8 am, and left for Pulau, Penang Island, in Malaysia, at 8 pm The Yala National Park, Udawalawe Wildlife Park, and the historical rock temple of Mulkirigala, were among the top attractions for visitors to the Hambantota International Port. The second cruise ship MV Azamara Quest is expected to arrive on December 5th, the HIP said
Additionally, Bundala National Park, Hambantota Botanical Gardens, Galle and Kataragama were popular destinations among the Mein Schiff 5’s passengers. Aside from exploring Hambantota by tuk-tuk, some enjoyed the beaches at the Shangri-La Hotel.
“As well as being her maiden call at the port, Mein Schiff 5 is the first passenger cruise ship to call at the port, since the pandemic began. We are pleased to be part of this initiative to rekindle interest in Sri Lanka’s tourism and have taken many steps, in the last four months, to encourage tourism in the region. It was undoubtedly a great boost for the tourist economy, in the south, when the vessel called at the Hambantota International Port,” said Johnson Liu, the CEO of Hambantota International Port Group (HIPG).
On board Mein Schiff 5, Johnson Liu, the CEO of HIPG, and Capt. Ravi Jayawickreme, CEO of Hambantota International Port Services (HIPS), and Anastasiou Ioannis, Captain of Mein Schiff 5, exchanged plaques to mark the ship’s maiden call at HIP. HIPG Chief Operating Officer Tissa Wickramasinghe was also in attendance.