HIP Welcomes Over 2,000 Thai Cruise Passengers, Signalling a New Growth Market for Sri Lanka

2,100 Thai cruise passengers arrived at Hambantota International Port (HIP) this week aboard the MV Celebrity Millennium. The call points to the emergence of Thailand as a promising new market for Sri Lanka’s cruise tourism.

The Malta-flagged Celebrity Millennium, operated by Celebrity Cruises, arrived from Phuket on 2 February 2026 with 2,171 passengers and 969 crew on board. Measuring 294 metres in length, the vessel is one of the largest cruise ships to call at HIP to date and will proceed onward to Colombo following its Hambantota stopover.

Passengers disembarking at HIP travelled inland to some of the country’s most iconic attractions, including Yala National Park, Udawalawa, and Kataragama, highlighting the port’s strategic advantage as a gateway to the island’s southern cultural and wildlife circuits. Shore excursions were coordinated by Abercrombie & Kent Pvt Ltd, with Prudential Shipping acting as local agent.

“This call is significant not just in scale, but in what it represents,” said Bindu Ranasinghe, Deputy General Manager Commercial & Marketing, Hambantota International Port. “The strong Thai passenger presence points to a new and growing cruise market for Sri Lanka, one that values authentic, land-based experiences and regional connectivity, that has the potential to diversify Sri Lanka’s visitor base beyond traditional markets.”

HIP has been steadily positioning itself as a cruise-ready port through targeted investments in infrastructure, streamlined port operations, and close collaboration with cruise lines, agents, and tour operators. Recent seasons have seen an increase in cruise calls, improved turnaround efficiency, and expanding excursion offerings, reinforcing the port’s role in supporting Sri Lanka’s broader cruise tourism ambitions.

As regional cruise itineraries continue to evolve, Hambantota International Port aims to play an active role in attracting new markets and delivering tangible economic benefits to communities beyond the traditional tourism corridors.