RSS Feed (xml)
Thursday, 24 June 2010
The Galle Face Hotel wins Heritage Hotel award
The Galle Face Hotel which was built in year 1864 was adjudged the winner of the Heritage Hotels on comprehensive evaluation criteria comprising revenue generation, Innovation, History and Culture.
In the heart of Colombo, the commercial capital of Sri Lanka, regally stands the Galle Face Hotel, a premier legend, one of Asia's best! With an impressive arched façade that overlooks the Galle Face Green, the hotel borrowed its name from this charming promenade way back in 1864. Built by four British entrepreneurs who were looking to start a business in the city, Galle Face Hotel is the only city hotel bordering the Indian Ocean.
Having been in Business continuously since 1864 this Sea front Luxury city hotel is the "Sri Lanka's Heritage in Hospitality……..
The Hotel follows a simple philosophy of offering guests the romance of old world charm completes with modern day luxuries that enhance the experience.
The Galle Face Hotel is owned by Mr. Sanjeev Gardiner who is also the Chairman of the Galle Face Hotel Group which owns the Kandy Queens Hotel, Hotel Suisse, Lihiniya Surf Hotel Bentota and Ceylon Hotel's Corporation.
National Geographic Ranks Sri Lanka At # 2 In List Of 20 Top Destinations
The magazine website described Sri Lanka as the ‘resplendent isle’ and underscored the natural charms of this pear-shaped island in the Indian Ocean that nearly kisses the southeast tip as “Indeed splendid.”
This National Geographic website has recently awarded the island the second spot on its list of the world’s 20 best tourist destinations which includes some of the most exotic and exclusive locations around the world including Bali. This latest accolade follows a recent spate of positive reviews the country has received, placing it well on the international map, according to the Sri Lanka Tourism Promotion Bureau’s (SLTPB) Middle East Office.
The National Geographic’s countdown show included Sri Lanka’s beaches; food and wildlife in addition to must see attractions such as Sigiriya as features to entice tourists to the island.
Ms. Heba Al Ghais Al Mansoori, Middle East Director of SLTPB said: “The National Geographic magazine has merely confirmed what many UAE nationals and Middle East residents knew all along that Sri Lanka is an excellent destination for recharging one’s body and communing with nature and participating in more active sports.”
“Sri Lanka is proud to have received such prestigious reviews from a reputable media channel such as National Geographic.”
Sri Lanka Ceylon Hotels Corp to upgrade hotels
The CHC, part of the Gale Face Hotel group, plans to spend 350-500 million rupees on the refurbishment, according to a decision by the firm’s board of directors Thursday.
CHC’s Tissamaharama resthouse in the south is to be upgraded to a four-star level acceptable to tour operators while the Lihiniya Surf Hotel Bentota on the south-west coast will also be upgraded to a four-star level, it said.
Both hotels are to be closed for refurbishment from July 15 and are expected to be re-launched by November 15 in time for the peak winter tourist season.
Refurbishment of CHC’s Ambepussa Resthouse and ‘Avanhala’ restaurant on a major highway north of Colombo has started and they will be re-launched on July 7, 2010, the statement said.
CHC has also hired Chethiya Perera, former director of Aitken Spence Hotel Holdings and chief executive of Aitken Spence Maldives, part of the Aitken Spence conglomerate which is one of the biggest resort operators in Sri Lanka and the Maldives.
Perera has been appointed as vice president strategy and development responsible for the refurbishment and repositioning of the properties of CHC, the statement said.
Ceylon Hotels Corporation lost 35.9 million rupees in the year to March 2010, though it made nine million rupees in the March quarter.
It operates 19 hotels, rest houses, resorts and restaurants many in picturesque locations known close to well-known historical sites and attractions
Sri Lanka - Tourist arrivals up 50 % in first quarter 2010
Arrivals for the month of March 2010 recorded 52,352, which was 53.7%, more than the 34,065 in the same month last year. Significantly, this is the fourth consecutive month in which the country has had more than 50,000 arrivals, and the 10th successive month with an increase over the previous year, SriLankan Airlines reported.
A dozen countries sent more than 3,000 tourists to Sri Lanka during this period. The United Kingdom (27,487) was in first place, narrowly beating second placed India (26,131). Germany (15,431) was well set in third place, followed by France (8,584) in forth, and the Maldives (8,066) in fifth place.
Australia (6,522) was sixth, Canada (4,746) seventh, the United States (4,476) eighth, Russia (4,447) ninth, the Netherlands (4,195) tenth, Japan (3,776) eleventh, and Malaysia (3,028) twelfth. Four more countries - Italy (2,725), China (2,510), Switzerland (2,423) and Singapore (2,288) had between 2,000 and 3,000 tourists to Sri Lanka during the first quarter.
In addition, seven countries sent between 1,000 and 2,000 tourists; Pakistan (1,892), Australia (1,803), Sweden (1,569), South Korea (1,392), Taiwan (1,309), Belgium (1,238), and Denmark (1,040).
The highest increases by percentage among major markets (over 3,000 arrivals) during the quarter were Malaysia (278%), Canada (93%), Germany (89%), India (79%), France (63%), Japan (45%), Australia (41%), United States (40%), United Kingdom (34%), Netherlands (29%) and Maldives (12%), SriLankan Airlines further said.
www.isria.com
Sunday, 20 June 2010
Sri Lanka An Emerging Golf Destination
Donald Steel, former President of the British Association of Golf Course Architects and author of 10 books on golf who was also the designer of the Victoria Golf Course once remarked, “"Some golf courses have a splendid undulating terrain over which the holes are routed. Some golf courses have scenic backdrop of hills and lakes, which excite the senses. However, The Victoria Golf Course near Kandy is blessed with both attributes."
“As much as it is an excellent venue for a game of golf, it is also an excellent retreat for a couple, family or small group” noted Ms Heba Al Ghais Al Mansoori, Middle East Director of Sri Lanka Tourism Promotion Bureau.
The Tamarind Lodge is a 5-bedroomed property situated just 100-metres above the Victoria Dam with its own private infinity pool. The 500-acre Resort also features several other properties offering both comfort and privacy. It’s a nature lover’s dream where you can go on horseback through deep forests with its 70 species of exotic birds and deer and monkeys.
Golfing in Sri Lanka began well over a century ago on Galle Face Green in the heart of Colombo. The British who introduced the game also set up Asia’s second oldest and the world’s third oldest golf course, the Royal Colombo Golf Club in 1880. Historically a Championship course, it features long par fives and almost impossible par fours. It presents a sporting challenge with deep traps and water hazards.
The British golfing legacy in Sri Lanka was not restricted to Colombo. The picturesque course at the foot of the highest mountain in the country is one of the most naturally scenic in the world. Situated in 160 km away and 1890 m above sea level in the hill resort of Nuwara Eliya, most of the course is situated within the town. It is also at the heart of the verdant tea plantations that have made Ceylon Tea famous the world over.
The newest in Sri Lanka is a par 72, 18-hole golf course just outside Colombo. The Water’s Edge Golf Course is spread across 200 acres of land and features several waterways.
A visit to Sri Lanka would hardly be complete without sampling the wild natural beauty of the country including the scenic waterfalls, spice and tea plantations, bird and wildlife reserves, tropical jungle excursions and the luxurious yet eco-friendly accommodation. The country’ has beautiful beaches all around.
www.middleeastevents.com
John Keells Group leads in Sri Lanka’s Tourism Sector
Of the 9 Presidential Awards won by John Keells Group, seven (7) went to the Group’s Leisure Inbound Sector, with Walkers Tours and Whittals Travel winning Best Domestic Tourism Operator, Best Nature and Adventure Tour Operator (Nature Odyssey), Best Charter Airline Operator (Condor), Best Chauffeur Guide - Mr. Pramo Welagedara, Best Guide - Mr. Keerthi Wijesinghe, Best Destination Loyal Partner (Foreign) - Kuoni Travel, and Hall of Fame Award for Best Destination Loyal Partner - Kuoni. The Hall of Fame award was earned by Kuoni for winning the Best Destination Loyal Partner for the third consecutive year. Cinnamon Grand Colombo won the Luxury Accommodation Best Five Star City Hotel, and Hall of Fame Award for Luxury Accommodation Best Five Star City Hotel, by winning the Best Five Star city Hotel for the third consecutive year.
“We are delighted with this achievement. It is noteworthy that they cover all areas of Destination Management – Nature and Adventure, Best Overseas Tour Operator, Charter Airline Operator as well as the Best Guide and Chauffeur Guide all of which were won for the second consecutive year. In addition, the company’s initiative to showcase Sri Lanka to our own people was recognized with the award for Best Domestic Tourism Operator.
This is a true endorsement of the commitment of our team which strives to achieve excellence and meet global standards at all times. We are well positioned to take on the unprecedented opportunities available for the leisure industry in post war Sri Lanka,” said Head of Leisure Inbound Sector Mr. Vasantha Leelananda, expressing his views on John Keells Group Leisure Inbound Sector’s achievements at the Presidential Awards for Travel and Tourism.
Commenting on Cinnamon Grand Colombo’s unique achievement, General Manager Rohan Karr said “whilst the Hall of Fame Award has cemented the Cinnamon Grand's legacy as a premiere establishment offering services of the highest calibre, The Best Five Star City Hotel Award has reinforced Cinnamon Grand as a market leader.”
Presidential Awards for Travel and Tourism 2009 was organised by the Ministry of Economic Development, in collaboration with Professional marketer and former president of Sri Lanka Institute of Marketing Mr. Nalin Attygalle. Presidential Awards for Travel and Tourism is carried out in partnership with Sri Lanka Tourism with the goal of recognising and rewarding excellence among industry stakeholders and to encourage sustainable development of the tourism industry.
www.dailymirror.lk
Nalaka Godahewa appointed to head Sri Lanka Tourism
With the appointement, Sri Lanka Tourism Promotion Bureau, Sri Lanka Hotels Corporation, Tourism and Hotel Management Institute, Sri Lanka Hotel School and Sri Lanka Convention and Exhibition Center will come under Dr. Godahewa.
Dr. Godahewa, a past student of Colombo Ananda College and Moratuwa University had held the position of the Managing Director of Sri Lanka Insurance previously. Under his leadership Sri Lanka Insurance won 6 out of 10 Gold Medals at the National Business excellence awards in 2007.
He has held the positions of Head of Business Development of Unilever, Marketing Director of Suntel, General Manager of MAS Shadowline, CEO of two MAS overseas operations in Far East and Sub Saharan Africa before taking over as CEO of Sri Lanka Insurance.
He is qualified in Engineering, Accountancy, and Marketing. he also holds an MBA as well as a PhD from University of South Australia.
www.colombopage.com
Tuesday, 1 June 2010
Sri Lanka welcomes US decision to cancel travel advisory
The Sri Lankan government today welcomed the United States' decision to cancel the travel warning it issued last year on Sri Lanka.
A top Sri Lankan government official said the move by the US, coming a year after three decades of conflict ended last May, would boost tourism and investment in the country.
Effective yesterday, the United States Department of State cancelled the travel warning issued for Sri Lanka on November 19, 2009.
"This is something we have been looking forward to. It will have a knock-on effect on (travel) insurance rates and also encourage more business travel from the West," Tourism Bureau chief Dileep Mudadeniya told AFP.
The US Department of State said yesterday it has cancelled the Travel Warning for Sri Lanka due to improvements in safety and security conditions throughout the country.
"Since the war's declared end, the LTTE has not mounted any attacks in Colombo or elsewhere in Sri Lanka," the State Department said in a statement.
Sri Lanka's is seeing a revival in the tourism industry after the end of the war a year ago. The tourist arrivals have been steadily increasing since the end of the war and recent data from the Tourist Board has shown that Sri Lanka's tourist arrivals jumped by 50.3 percent in the first quarter of 2010 compared to a year earlier.
The Tourism Board says it is hoping to attract 2.5 million visitors by 2016 and to earn 2 billion-dollar annual income from tourism by 2016.
www.colombopage.com
US lifts travel advisory on Sri Lanka
Washington: The US Thursday lifted its travel advisory that warned its citizens of security risks in the country, saying the situation had improved in the last one year.
The move could be considered as a goodwill gesture given that Sri Lankan Foreign Minister Gamini Peiris is in the US on a visit.
The move could be considered as a goodwill gesture given that Sri Lankan Foreign Minister Gamini Peiris is in the US on a visit.
The Foreign Minister is scheduled to meet Secretary of State Hillary Clinton on Friday.
An official said the travel advisory issued by the US State Department in November, 2009 has been lifted since the security situation in the Island country had improved following the defeat of the LTTE.
In its last advisory the Department of State had warned US citizens about the risks of travel to Sri Lanka due to continued security concerns, especially in the northernmost areas and most of its Eastern Province, in the wake of un cleared landmines and potential for incidents by remnant members of the LTTE. An official said the travel advisory issued by the US State Department in November, 2009 has been lifted since the security situation in the Island country had improved following the defeat of the LTTE.
It asked US citizens in Sri Lanka to remain vigilant.
www.zeenews.com
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
