Hambantota International Port (HIP) welcomed over 2,100 Thai cruise passengers this week, marking a significant step in Sri Lanka’s efforts to diversify its tourism source markets and strengthen cruise-related economic activity.
The Malta-flagged MV Celebrity Millennium, operated by Celebrity Cruises, arrived at HIP from Phuket on 2 February 2026 carrying 2,171 passengers and 969 crew. At 294 metres in length, the vessel is among the largest cruise ships to call at the port to date, underscoring Hambantota’s growing capacity to handle large-scale cruise operations. The ship is scheduled to continue to Colombo following its Hambantota stop.
The call is notable for the strong presence of Thai passengers, pointing to Thailand’s emergence as a potential new source market for Sri Lanka’s cruise tourism. Passengers disembarking at HIP travelled inland to key tourism and cultural sites including Yala National Park, Udawalawa, and Kataragama, generating direct spillover benefits for transport providers, tour operators, wildlife attractions, and local communities in the southern region.
Shore excursions were managed by Abercrombie & Kent Pvt Ltd, while Prudential Shipping served as the local agent, reflecting growing private-sector participation in cruise-related services.
“This call is significant not just in scale, but in what it represents,” said Bindu Ranasinghe, Deputy General Manager – Commercial and Marketing at Hambantota International Port. “The strong Thai passenger presence highlights a new and growing cruise market for Sri Lanka, with the potential to diversify visitor arrivals beyond traditional markets and increase regional connectivity.”
HIP has been positioning itself as a cruise-ready port through investments in infrastructure, improved operational efficiency, and closer collaboration with cruise lines, shipping agents, and tour operators. Recent cruise seasons have recorded a rise in vessel calls, faster turnaround times, and expanded excursion options, strengthening the port’s contribution to Sri Lanka’s broader tourism and logistics strategy.
As cruise itineraries across the Indian Ocean and Southeast Asia continue to evolve, Hambantota International Port is expected to play an increasingly important role in attracting new passenger segments and extending tourism-related economic benefits beyond the country’s traditional coastal and urban tourism hubs.
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