Maharaja’s leisure boss appeals: be a “tourist in your own land”

With World Tourism day upon us, Chris Quyn, CEO of Fox Resorts (Pvt) Ltd., a Maharaja company owning two boutique resorts in Jaffna and Kandy, has made an appeal to domestic tourists to explore their own country and help a Covid-hit industry struggling to survive.

In a statement issued last week, Quyn said: “With airports closed and overseas leisure travel at a standstill, I appeal to Sri Lankans to take this opportunity to really experience this great land of ours. We have an abundance of both explored and unexplored heritage sites, nature and wildlife reserves, hiking trails, places of worship, beaches, and cultural festivals revered by tourists all year round.”

He called on Lankans to gather your friends and family to become “tourists in your own land” and stay at one of our many world class hotels or off-the-beaten-path private villas” now offering fantastic deals.

“Visit a city you’ve never had the chance to explore. Revisit places that you couldn’t really get the most out of. Hire a guide to learn all the interesting details. Eat at a roadside kadé. Buy souvenirs from each trip. Display them with pride and nostalgia. Buy local handicraft from your travels, as gifts for your friends and family. Tip your waitstaff and service providers where you can,” he said.

“Become a master of Sri Lanka’s hidden secrets and unknown delights, and boast about them with the pride and wonder of being a part of this culture and this marvelous island. Take kitesurfing lessons or go on a yoga retreat. Climb Adam’s Peak and Sigiriya like you did as a child. Hike around our mist-covered hill country and trek through our lush rainforest national parks. Most importantly, take the time to delight and enrich yourself with experiences old and new, and become a true travel ambassador for our glorious island.”