The 2011 ICC Cricket World Cup will be the tenth Cricket World Cup, and will be hosted by three South Asian Test cricket playing countries; India, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh.
The tournament is the world's third largest sporting event. Media reports estimate that over 200 million people from the cricket-playing countries as well as cricket-enthusiasts from non-cricket-playing countries watch these matches.
Sri Lanka Tourism is planning to promote the country and its attractions during the 2011 World Cup, scheduled to be held in February and March 2011.
This project proposal specifically focuses on the viability of developing tourism-related infrastructure facilities in and around the Hambantota district.
Currently, Hambantota is being developed as a commercial hub with all necessary infrastructure facilities. The Hambantota commercial port, investment zone, Weerawila Airport, Convention Centre, Administrative Centre, and highway development are some of the sites under development. Given the large amount of investment rendered towards the region, Sri Lanka Tourism is planning to capitalize on this and use it to attract investors and tourists.
With Sri Lanka co-hosting the 2011 Cricket World Cup, Sri Lanka Tourism plans to promote new structural development and upgrade existing accommodation facilities and related infrastructure in a bid to host ICC officials, players and spectators in Hambantota. ICC Guidelines require venues to have basic requirements such as 5 star accommodation facilities, sufficient accommodation for 500- 1000 players, officials and spectators, and a maximum travel time of 15 minutes from hotel to venue.
The Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority invites all parties interested in being a part of this project to partner alongside and maximize benefits for the tourism industry.
