is looking to capitalize on the multi-splendoured charms of their paradise island home, to draw in more tourists from the GCC countries.

Sri Lanka's fabled natural beauty and its proximity to the Gulf region, makes the country a popular holiday destination for tourists from across the world, who are familiar with its many attractions.

SriLankan Airlines is now taking aim at the tourist from the Gulf region, who is looking for a holiday that offers both the wonders of nature that the island has been blessed with and the lure of the sun, sand and surf that the country abounds in.

"With convenient daily flights to Colombo from Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Doha, Riyadh, Muscat, Bahrain and Kuwait, SriLankan Airlines now offers 68 flights a week from the region to our home base for tourists from the region, who are looking to experience the pleasures of a quick break or an extended holiday for them and their families, just a short flight away," said Saminda Perera, General Manager Marketing, SriLankan Airlines.

Whether they are looking for a peaceful beach holiday along our miles and miles of unspoilt beaches on either coast, or the thrill of taking on the monster waves of Arugam Bay, our world-renowned international surfer's paradise, Sri Lanka has something for everyone.

Located midway down Sri Lanka's East Coast, the picturesque Arugam Bay, with its crescent-shaped stretch of soft sandy beach, has become a sought after stop on the world surfing circuit, with leading interantional board jockeys and surf riders lining up to take on the challenge of the famed point break.
It's a tiny place, with a population of a few hundred, and everything is dotted along a single road which parallels the coast, the epitome of the laid-back beach scene that first drew surfers and sun-seekers to Sri Lanka.
For those not so keen on riding the breaks, Arugam Bay has plenty of other draws: beachfront guesthouses, ocean-side restaurants and a serene and unhurried vibe that’s a world away from the more crowded resorts of the West Coast..
Arugam Bay also makes a great base for several adventures in the surrounding hinterland. During the low season (November to April) things get extremely quiet and many places close altogether, but it can also be a serene time to visit, with few tourists and verdant landscapes.
Recent statistics indicate that Sri Lanka received 107, 635 tourists from the GCC countries in 2017, a growth of 6.5%, with the UAE figuring as the major source market in the region.

Having served the sector for years, SriLankan Airlines is a known entity on the Middle East- Colombo route, with the airline's famed standards of service and hospitality, being one of the chief attractions for tourists and business travellers choosing to fly SriLankan Airlines.

SriLankan Airlines today flies an all Airbus fleet, which includes the state-of-the-art A330-300 and A320neo aircraft connecting to 105 destinations in 47 countries (including codeshare operations). Launched in 1979, Sri Lanka’s National Carrier is an award winning airline with a solid reputation for service, comfort, safety, reliability, and punctuality.