By Newswire Editorial
The canoeing competition of the international women’s adventure sports event, ‘Raid Amazones’, kicked off in Kalutara on Thursday (05), with Minister of Tourism Vijitha Herath officially flagging off the event.
According to Sri Lanka Tourism, the competition commenced and concluded at Malli’s Seafood Restaurant, with Minister Herath attending the event to encourage the participants.
The 2026 edition of Raid Amazones officially commenced in Sri Lanka on November 02, following a two-year hiatus, and will continue until November 10.
This year’s event features 300 French female contestants and 55 international staff members, with Connaissance De Ceylan (Pvt) Ltd serving as the official ground handling partner.
The event, being held in the Kalutara region, includes several adventure sports activities, such as trail running, canoeing, cycling, running and treasure hunts, designed to test participants’ endurance and physical strength.
Sri Lanka Tourism said the participants arrived at the Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA) on November 02, where they were welcomed with traditional dance performances and cultural activities.
The delegation also travelled on a flight operated entirely by female crew members, highlighting the event’s focus on women’s empowerment and equality.
Founded in 2001 by Alexandre Debanne of ZBO France, Raid Amazones is an international women-only multi-sport adventure challenge combining endurance sports, cultural experiences and destination promotion.
Sri Lanka has previously hosted the event in 2004, 2009, 2018, 2019, 2022 and 2023, with each edition attracting more than 250 international participants.
Sri Lanka Tourism said the event aims to showcase the country’s beaches, natural landscapes, cultural heritage and local communities while strengthening its position as an international tourism destination.
The event primarily targets European markets, including France, Belgium, Switzerland and Luxembourg, attracting international travellers who may extend their stays to explore the country.
According to Sri Lanka Tourism, the 2023 edition generated publicity valued at approximately USD 50 million, including more than 300 international media articles, a reach of one million people, over 65,000 engagements and 650,000 video views.
Authorities expect this year’s event to generate similar international exposure while promoting Sri Lanka’s potential as a sports tourism destination. (Newswire)
