Arugam Bay in the Ampara District is attracting more local and foreign tourists this year.
“The foreign tourists visiting Arugam Bay has increased considerably this year and we looking for a record season in arrivals this year,” an official from Eastern Province Tourism Association said.
“Several new investments in the leisure sector too are shaping up and we estimate 1,000 star class rooms are to be added in next 18 months in the area to meet the growing demand of up market tourists.”
Arugam Bay is popularly known and called as ‘Tourists Paradise’ and is fast gaining as a surfing paradise and several new entrepreneurs are providing servicers in this segment.A good number of tourists are expected to visit the area in the coming months. The surfing season in Arugam Bay starts in April and ends in October and we expect more toward the end of the year.”
He also said that with the SriLankan airline flight to Australia more Australian tourists specially, surfers bound for Indonesia are visiting Arugam Bay.
Dolphin viewing season at Arugam Bay beach is also now in progress until September.
“The beach isn’t the only attraction in the area. The countryside of the village of Arugam Bay brings about loveliest scenery that span over mangrove, jungle, lagoon, river, rice fields and dunes too are visited by tourists. The National Park in Panama and Kumuna Bird Sanctuary too are some other attractions.