A group of 34 University Students representing the Cardiff Metropolitan University of the UK recently arrived in Sri Lanka on a Cricket & destination promotional FAM Tour, in order to explore Sri Lanka’s uniqueness as a world renowned Tourist Destination, with its culture, people and lifestyle and also sharing the spirit of the game of cricket with the Sri Lankan community. The students represent the two Cricketing teams of both men and women of the University of Cardiff, who are also the current British University champions. The University has arranged the familiarization tour in collaboration with Sri Lanka Tourism, also as a humanitarian tour.  The group will tour Sri Lanka from 22nd March to 5th April 2024. During their stay they will engage in different activities including workshops, coaching sessions, volunteering days for environmental & animal conservation, and will play cricket matches with the rural & urban cricket clubs & University colleges of Sri Lanka. Exploring key tourism destinations including Kandy, Nuwara Eliya , Hikkaduwa and tourism attractions in Colombo are scheduled during this FAM Tour. 

Sri Lanka Tourism sees their visit as a unique opportunity to promote the destination for the young generation of British Travelers who have a very high potential to visit the destination with their families and friends, also acting as brand ambassadors, providing positive referrals to the potential traveler groups of their generation. SLTPB has taken the initiative to showcase the country ‘s tourism facets highlighting the sports tourism products, by creating a positive attitude among the young undergraduates, and also giving them an experience which they will cherish for a lifetime. This will not only create an impressive image of Sri Lanka among the younger generation of UK travelers, but also promote Sports Tourism which has become a crucial segment in today’s tourism sector. 

Sri Lanka Tourism warmly welcomed the Cardiff Metropolitan University team by hosting them for a Networking event in Colombo, in order to enhance their knowledge and awareness about tourism products and create an opportunity to build a good rapport with the cricket fraternity, scholars and tourism trade to strengthen links with Sri Lanka further. The event has created stage for the young undergraduates to explore the culture, authentic Sri Lankan hospitality and delicious cuisine, connect with key stakeholders of the industry to further create an everlasting impression in their minds about Sri Lanka, which will in turn make them promote the destination with positive attitude among their peers & other potential traveler groups of their generation in the UK.