SriLankan Airlines is inviting travellers from the Middle East to enjoy the pleasures of a quick break or an extended holiday with family on the island.

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. Now the island of sun, sand and surf is looking to lure more tourists from the Middle East with promises of adventure, relaxation and fun.

"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," said Saminda Perera, general manager marketing, SriLankan Airlines.

Recent statistics indicate that Sri Lanka received 107,635 tourists from the GCC countries in 2017, a growth of 6.5 per cent, with the UAE emerging as the major source market in the region.

Whether visitors 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, a 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.

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.

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). - TradeArabia News Service