Trinco ready for tourist influx

by Shirajiv SIRIMANE in Trincomalee

Hotel Club Oceanic, Trincomalee

Very soon Trincomalee hoteliers will be in a position to say, 'Sorry, the hotel is full up and please try another day,' as the area is drawing tremendous attention from both local and foreign tourists. The secret for this is lasting peace, a good road and transport network and most importantly the removal of many checkpoints.

The liberation of the Eastern province followed up by holding the elections and the massive development projects undertaken by the government is once again putting Trincomalee on the world tourism map.

The hoteliers also welcome the move by the Sri Lanka Air Force to launch domestic passenger flights to China Bay that take off on Saturday morning and arrive the following day giving the traveller ample time to capture the beauty in the area.

One of the main tourist attractions in Trincomalee is the seven hot springs. All these springs are within a rectangular enclosure of high walls.

Dwarf walls with different temperatures separate the springs from one another and one hot spring water is so hot that it can even boil an egg.

The ruins of Fort Frederick or the Dutch Fort can be seen on the way leading to Koneswaram. The Fort was actually built by the Portuguese. A naval museum named Hoods Naval Museum is also located in the Navy base. Legend has that Swami Rock, a rocky outcrop, was once a colossal Hindu temple dedicated to Lord Koneswara. A new temple has been built near the location. Point of Lovers' Leap is located within the Swami Rock.

The harbour of Trincomalee is the third largest natural harbour in the world and Tiriyaya, located 35km off Trincomalee, is a place of Buddhist worship.

Nilaweli and Uppuveli, considered among the best beaches in Sri Lanka, are very good for activities like snorkelling and sunbathing. Both the beaches are located 16 km and 6 km off the town respectively. The Pigeon Island is also located here.

Club Oceanic Hotel Trincomalee is owned and managed by the Keells Hotels and is the first star hotel that was built in 1972. Even today it's a landmark in the area.

Club Oceanic Uppuveli is a 56-roomed seaside resort that lies sprawled along the Eastern coast of Sri Lanka, north of Trincomalee.

Set against a fantastic palm-fringed shoreline, this recently refurbished 3-storeyed hotel offers well-appointed comfortable rooms in a relaxed surrounding.

Prem Kumar who is the General Manager of the hotel said to meet the increasing demand they are planning to reopen 20 rooms. This is in addition to the existing 56 rooms, which include Beach Chalets, Standard Rooms and Superior Rooms.

The hotel also offers two restaurants, Astrelle and Palmyrah Restaurant and two conference halls which could accommodate up to 150 guests, a fresh water swimming pool; an Ayurvedic Health Club offering natural herbal therapies; a kiddies play area and kiddies pool and beach recreational facilities.

Club Oceanic offers visitors the opportunity to explore some of the best diving spots in clean, clear waters that include many World War II shipwrecks.

He said in addition to the local weekend market there are also many European long stay visitors.

"The developing market is the Sri Lankan Diaspora from Australia, the UK and Canada", he said.