HIP reveals huge and unique potential to promote tourism in SL

The Hambantota International Port (HIP) has revealed that it has a huge and unique potential to promote tourism in Sri Lanka by facilitating cruise liners. It has proved it with the welcoming of the cruise vessel AIDAdiva on February 12, marking the ship’s first call at the Southern Port and the second visit by AIDA Cruises to Hambantota.

The 251.89-metre, Italian-flagged vessel, built in 2007 and registered in Genoa, arrived from Thailand carrying approximately 2,000 passengers and 620 crew members. The majority of guests were German nationals. The ship was commanded by Captain Michael Schmid of Germany and is scheduled to sail onward to Colombo following her Hambantota call.

Around 1,400 passengers disembarked to join organised excursions across Southern Sri Lanka. Tours were coordinated by Lotus DMC, while port agency services were handled by Aitken Spence Shipping Ltd. Visitors toured key attractions including Yala National Park, Galle and Birds Park, highlighting the region’s wildlife, heritage and coastal landscapes.

The call formed a part of AIDAdiva’s broader Asia itinerary, with some passengers continuing onward to regional destinations including India. While this was the vessel’s first visit to Hambantota, has previously called at Colombo Port. In 2024, her sister ship AIDAstella made a successful call at HIP, after the port was added to the cruise line’s Sri Lanka programme last year.

The latest visit follows HIP’s first cruise call of 2026 by Celebrity Millennium and signals sustained interest from international cruise operators. Another AIDA Cruises vessel, AIDAstella, is scheduled to call later this year, visiting Colombo before proceeding to Hambantota.

With repeat and first-time calls from global cruise lines, HIP continues to expand its role within the Indian Ocean cruise itineraries, supported by modern infrastructure, efficient vessel handling and proximity to established tourism sites.

Source: Daily News