- Celebrating the undaunting spirit of women
The Raid Amazones 2022, a popular annual adventure trail originating from France began in Sigiriya this week. The event features French female athletes who compete their way through a range of challenges such as orienteering, mountain biking, canoeing, riding, running, and archery, typically against the backdrop of an exotic tourist destination. This year’s event pays homage to Sri Lanka and its iconic Sigiriya rock fortress, the surrounding areas of which will play backdrop to the event.
Brunch spoke to Minister of Tourism Prasanna Ranatunga to learn more about this event and how it will benefit the local tourism industry.
Sharing some details on the event, he stated that the event is currently taking place, having begun on 13 March, till 6 April and it is expected to bring over € 15 million worth of global media visibility for Sri Lanka. “Last year, we went to France and managed to arrange this event to take place in Sri Lanka,” he told us, adding that before the event takes place, France advertises the event on a grand scale, which aids in promoting Sri Lanka. He further stated that since the event will host over 600 participants, it is not just marketed in France but in several other European countries, thus putting Sri Lanka in the limelight.
By welcoming the female athletes participating in Raid Amazones 2022, Ranatunga stated that SriLankan Airlines stepped in to celebrate the undaunting spirit of women. The airline has branded an aircraft with a Raid Amazones 2022-themed livery to bring Sri Lanka into the limelight as an adventure and sports tourism destination on a global scale.
Commenting at the press conference held on Women’s Day to announce the launch of Raid Amazones 2022 being held in Sri Lanka, SriLankan Airlines Chairman Ashok Pathirage said: “SriLankan Airlines is an organisation that advocates for women’s empowerment and equal opportunity. We take pride in the strides made by our female employees and have always supported the remarkable women that have become national icons.”
He further added that with Raid Amazones 2022, they are taking one step ahead to celebrate the strength and resilience of women in the backdrop of our home base, and hope that it would inspire many others to follow in the trail and find their adventure in Sri Lanka.
At the moment, Ranatunga informed us that the first group of participants have already arrived in the country, and the next group is scheduled to arrive on 28 March. “The first batch of athletes arrived from Paris to a memorable welcome at Bandaranaike International Airport this morning on flight UL 564, which was operated by an all-female crew led by Captain Chamika Rupasingha and Cabin Manager Anju Jayasinghe,” he informed us. Once the first group is done with the event, he explained that they will be joining their families, who also came down to watch the event, through SriLankan Airlines.
“This will further promote local tourism as the families of over 600 participants will be exploring Sri Lanka and contributing to our economy, which is an additional benefit we are getting from hosting the event in Sri Lanka,” he shared, adding that it is entirely up to the visitors to decide how long they want to stay here for. He hopes that our country will be enticing enough for them to feel welcome and extend their stay.
On a conclusive note, Ranatunga shared that this event will help revive the tourism industry further. “Raid Amazones is one of the most sought-after adventure trails in the French travel market. We are already seeing an influx of tourists. With this promotion as well, Sri Lanka will be promoted throughout Europe and many will want to visit our country.”
