A historic visit, but not a first for Sri Lanka
FactSeeker observed a number of mainstream media outlets reporting that a group of tourists from Iceland arrived in Sri Lanka for the first time in history on November 4.
by Anonymous |
November 12, 2024
The articles are linked below:
https://mawbima.lk/2024/11/05/tourists-arrive-from-iceland/
https://www.virakesari.lk/article/197946
Despite such claims, statistics available on the Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority’s website indicated tourist arrivals from Iceland which have been recorded since 2018.
Furthermore, FactSeeker observed the phrase “Baenda Ferdir” displayed on a banner held by the tourists. The phrase is a name of a tourist agency in Iceland, and is linked below.
Baenda Ferdir – https://www.baendaferdir.is/
As the group had was ceremonially welcomed to the country, FactSeeker contacted Director of Public Relations at the Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA) Madhubani Perera who stated the vent was not hosted under the patronage of the government.
FactSeeker learned that the group had arrived through Jetwing Travels. Tour Coordinator Visagan Sivakumar said that this group of Icelandic tourists came to Sri Lanka for a yoga retreat program.
He added that they were the first group of Icelandic tourists to arrive in the country via Jetwing Travels.
As this marks the first Icelandic group receiving tourist services from Jetwing Travels, a welcoming ceremony was organized in collaboration with the Tourism Promotion Bureau, Mr Sivakumar said.
Accordingly, FactSeeker confirms that while this Icelandic tourist group is not the first in Sri Lanka’s history, they are the first to arrive via Jetwing Travels.
