Sri Lanka is set to make history by hosting its first-ever Chinese marathon in May, with an anticipated participation of 2000-3000 Chinese athletes as part of the ‘Ni Hao Zhong Guo’ program, announced Shirantha Peiris, Chairman of the Sri Lanka Institute of Tourism and Hotel Management.
Peiris recently concluded a visit to the municipality of Chongqing in China, finalizing an agreement under the Ni Hao Zhong Guo program aimed at attracting more Chinese tourists to Sri Lanka over the next two years. As part of the program, plans have been made to organize a marathon for Chinese athletes from May 1 to 3, followed by a seafood festival along the Unawatuna beach strip. Chalaka Gajabahu, Chairman of the Sri Lanka Tourism Promotion Bureau, revealed intentions to establish this marathon as an annual event.
The Ni Hao Zhong Guo program aims to draw one million Chinese tourists to Sri Lanka over the next two years, with an expected revenue of Rs. 225 billion. While Peiris acknowledged the ambitious targets, he proposed extending the program to a more realistic four-year period to achieve its objectives.
