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Thursday, 24 March 2011
International Tourism Conference inaugurated in Sri Lanka capital
Sri Lanka inaugurated the International Tourism Conference of the South Asia, East Asia and the Pacific regions organized by the United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) in Colombo today.
The UNWTO is holding the 23rd Joint Meeting of the UNWTO Commission for South Asia and the UNWTO Commission for East Asia and the Pacific at the Hilton Hotel in Colombo, from 24-26 March 2011.
Minister of Economic Development Basil Rajapaksa inaugurated the three-day conference under the theme 'Mainstreaming Tourism in the Media' with the participation of 154 member counties and 400 agents of the World Tourism Organization.
The Ministry of Economic Development says that the conference is an opportunity for the country to display its development in tourism sector to the world.
Sri Lanka is one of the 160 countries having membership in the UNWTO. The Organization also has more than 350 Affiliate Members, which represent the private sector, educational institutions, tourism associations, and local tourism authorities
www.colombopage.com
Ritsumeikan innovation and APU's global outreach support Lanka’s human development
Ritsumeikan, Japan's third largest university system is here in Sri Lanka. Discussions with Professor Kiyofumi Kawaguchi, Chancellor, and Professor Monte Cassim, a Sri Lankan who is Vice-Chancellor of Ritsumeikan, during a visit to Japan by Professor Tissa Vitarana, Honourable Senior Minister of Scientific Affairs and Professor Sirimali Fernando, Chair of the National Science Foundation, marked the beginning of this relationship. For the past two years, Professor Susumu Sugiyama, Ritsumeikan's nanotechnology expert, has been working to establish a global reputation for the Sri Lanka Institute of Nano-Technology, SLINTEC, under a JICA expert dispatch program.
The name Ritsumeikan comes from the discourses of Mencius, the famous Chinese philosopher It means "a place to shape one's destiny" through learning and the continual innovative application of knowledge, Ritsumeikan University traces its roots to a private academy, established in 1869 by Prince Saionji, who later became prime minister of Japan. Saionji's liberal principles have shaped Ritsumeikan's own destiny as it contributed to Japan's modernization, transforming into a modern university in 1900, peace and democracy are ideals that Ritsumeikan holds dear ...They are universal values which Sri Lanka, home to one of the oldest modern parliamentary democracies, also shares.
Ritsumeikan is also working with the Sri Lanka institute of Tourism and Hospitality Management (SLITHM) to develop a new curriculum and pedagogic methods that will enable the institute to better serve the tourism industry and make it "a trend setter for the nation's economic growth", in the words of Dr. Nalaka Godahewa, Chairman of the Sri Lanka Tourist Board, A training program for SLlTHM faculty and industry representatives is about to be launched soon, Ritsumeikan's resident coordinator for this JICA/JBIC financed project is Mr. Harin Gunawardena, who also acts as Ritsumeikan and APU's representative in Sri Lanka.
http://print.dailymirror.lk
The name Ritsumeikan comes from the discourses of Mencius, the famous Chinese philosopher It means "a place to shape one's destiny" through learning and the continual innovative application of knowledge, Ritsumeikan University traces its roots to a private academy, established in 1869 by Prince Saionji, who later became prime minister of Japan. Saionji's liberal principles have shaped Ritsumeikan's own destiny as it contributed to Japan's modernization, transforming into a modern university in 1900, peace and democracy are ideals that Ritsumeikan holds dear ...They are universal values which Sri Lanka, home to one of the oldest modern parliamentary democracies, also shares.
Ritsumeikan is also working with the Sri Lanka institute of Tourism and Hospitality Management (SLITHM) to develop a new curriculum and pedagogic methods that will enable the institute to better serve the tourism industry and make it "a trend setter for the nation's economic growth", in the words of Dr. Nalaka Godahewa, Chairman of the Sri Lanka Tourist Board, A training program for SLlTHM faculty and industry representatives is about to be launched soon, Ritsumeikan's resident coordinator for this JICA/JBIC financed project is Mr. Harin Gunawardena, who also acts as Ritsumeikan and APU's representative in Sri Lanka.
http://print.dailymirror.lk
Sri Lanka UN tourism confab to debate media
Sri Lanka will host a United Nations backed tourism conference covering Asia Pacific which will also debate the role of media in tourism, an official said.
The United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) Commissions for South Asia and East Asia and the Pacific will hold a joint meeting in Colombo from March 24 to 26.
Around 60 delegates from 15 to 20 countries are due to attend the sessions, head of Sri Lanka's tourism authority, Nalaka Godahewa said.
Sri Lanka has seen a surge in tourism arrivals after a 30-year war ended in May 2009. The country has also started to attract international events as travel advisories were lifted and perceptions changed.
"The World Tourism Organization has recognized the important role tourism will play in the post conflict development in Sri Lanka and the unique and diverse products the island has to offer travelers," Godahewa said.
The sessions include a one day seminar on "Mainstreaming tourism in the media" which will see the participation of international media and marketing experts.
UNWTO says since 1950 international tourist trips have grow over 6.0 percent a year with tourism revenues growing 11 percent a year. It is now estimated to 5.0 percent of world gross domestic product, 30 percent of services exports and one it 12 of all jobs.
But news coverage of negative events can hurt industry. Sri Lanka's war, bombings and human rights abuses for example hurt the industry for years.
"While intended as a comprehensive debate on the overall role of the media in tourism, the seminar takes Sri Lanka as its specific case study," UNWTO's conference website said.
"It will look at the relevance of tourism for the country’s development after three decades of political and social unrest and subsequent negative headlines around the world.
"The debate will naturally concentrate on tourism as a key vehicle to rebuild the country’s image with a direct impact on its tourism positioning, but also with positive spill-over effects on Sri Lanka as a marketplace, including its international political profile."
www.lankabusinessonline.com
The United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) Commissions for South Asia and East Asia and the Pacific will hold a joint meeting in Colombo from March 24 to 26.
Around 60 delegates from 15 to 20 countries are due to attend the sessions, head of Sri Lanka's tourism authority, Nalaka Godahewa said.
Sri Lanka has seen a surge in tourism arrivals after a 30-year war ended in May 2009. The country has also started to attract international events as travel advisories were lifted and perceptions changed.
"The World Tourism Organization has recognized the important role tourism will play in the post conflict development in Sri Lanka and the unique and diverse products the island has to offer travelers," Godahewa said.
The sessions include a one day seminar on "Mainstreaming tourism in the media" which will see the participation of international media and marketing experts.
UNWTO says since 1950 international tourist trips have grow over 6.0 percent a year with tourism revenues growing 11 percent a year. It is now estimated to 5.0 percent of world gross domestic product, 30 percent of services exports and one it 12 of all jobs.
But news coverage of negative events can hurt industry. Sri Lanka's war, bombings and human rights abuses for example hurt the industry for years.
"While intended as a comprehensive debate on the overall role of the media in tourism, the seminar takes Sri Lanka as its specific case study," UNWTO's conference website said.
"It will look at the relevance of tourism for the country’s development after three decades of political and social unrest and subsequent negative headlines around the world.
"The debate will naturally concentrate on tourism as a key vehicle to rebuild the country’s image with a direct impact on its tourism positioning, but also with positive spill-over effects on Sri Lanka as a marketplace, including its international political profile."
www.lankabusinessonline.com
Sri Lanka to host UNWTO meetings
The fast recovering Sri Lanka tourism industry is getting another big boost with the World Tourism Organization selecting Sri Lanka as the location for hosting the 23rd Annual Conference of South Asia, East Asia and the Pacific from March 24 to 26.
The conference fits in perfectly the 12 monthly themes of Sri Lanka Tourism where March is dedicated for meetings and conferences.
This event is an important program in the calendar of the World Tourism Organization (UNWTO), the specialized agency of the United Nations in the field of tourism with a membership of 154 countries in seven territories and over 400 affiliate members representing the private sector, educational institutions, tourism associations and local tourism authorities. UNWTO serves as a global forum for tourism policy issues and a practical source of tourism know-how.
A number of tourism specialists and international media personnel are attending this conference and Sri Lanka is making use of this opportunity to show them around the country so that a positive message about Sri Lanka Tourism will be delivered to the world through this key influential people.
The conference will be held under the theme `Mainstreaming tourism in the media` where eminent international speakers such as Marcelo Risi, Dr Victor Wee, Alejandro Ossa, Susan Warren, Simon Calder and Zoltan Somogyi will address.
Some of the topics discussed at this conference would be `Positioning tourism - the media as an ally, Successful promotion: Visit Malaysia Year Project`, `Overcoming adversity: When the only risk is wanting to stay` and `How to sell your story` followed by panel discussions with participating global media.
`World Tourism Organization has recognized the important role tourism will play in the post conflict development of Sri Lanka and the unique advantage Sri Lanka has with our highly diversified product range to become one of the most sought after tourist destinations in the world,` said Sri Lanka Tourism Chairman Dr Nalaka Godahewa. Dr Godahewa has been invited to speak on `Harnessing regional co-operation in tourism development and communication` at the conference.
Apart from the said speakers, foreign participants consist of Tourism Ministers, senior officials, business leaders and marketing specialists from South Asia, South East Asia and Pacific and the UNWTO delegation is led by the Secretary General Dr Taleb Rifai.
The occasion is expected to be attended by Economic Development Minister Basil Rajapaksa and Deputy Minister Lakshman Yapa Abeywardena. Sri Lanka Tourism will make use this opportunity to showcase Sri Lanka`s unique attractions and locations and will also add value to the event with journeys on the steamed engine train `Viceroy` and the Jetliner Cruise while Sri Lankan dances and fashion parades will add colour to the evening functions.
Sri Lanka Tourism is taking all measures to convey through the participants that Sri Lanka is not only an ideal platform to exchange ideas of mutual interest, but also one of the safest destinations in the world as well as a location with wide diversity which offers a memorable experience to foreign delegates and visitors.
www.lankanewspapers.com
The conference fits in perfectly the 12 monthly themes of Sri Lanka Tourism where March is dedicated for meetings and conferences.
This event is an important program in the calendar of the World Tourism Organization (UNWTO), the specialized agency of the United Nations in the field of tourism with a membership of 154 countries in seven territories and over 400 affiliate members representing the private sector, educational institutions, tourism associations and local tourism authorities. UNWTO serves as a global forum for tourism policy issues and a practical source of tourism know-how.
A number of tourism specialists and international media personnel are attending this conference and Sri Lanka is making use of this opportunity to show them around the country so that a positive message about Sri Lanka Tourism will be delivered to the world through this key influential people.
The conference will be held under the theme `Mainstreaming tourism in the media` where eminent international speakers such as Marcelo Risi, Dr Victor Wee, Alejandro Ossa, Susan Warren, Simon Calder and Zoltan Somogyi will address.
Some of the topics discussed at this conference would be `Positioning tourism - the media as an ally, Successful promotion: Visit Malaysia Year Project`, `Overcoming adversity: When the only risk is wanting to stay` and `How to sell your story` followed by panel discussions with participating global media.
`World Tourism Organization has recognized the important role tourism will play in the post conflict development of Sri Lanka and the unique advantage Sri Lanka has with our highly diversified product range to become one of the most sought after tourist destinations in the world,` said Sri Lanka Tourism Chairman Dr Nalaka Godahewa. Dr Godahewa has been invited to speak on `Harnessing regional co-operation in tourism development and communication` at the conference.
Apart from the said speakers, foreign participants consist of Tourism Ministers, senior officials, business leaders and marketing specialists from South Asia, South East Asia and Pacific and the UNWTO delegation is led by the Secretary General Dr Taleb Rifai.
The occasion is expected to be attended by Economic Development Minister Basil Rajapaksa and Deputy Minister Lakshman Yapa Abeywardena. Sri Lanka Tourism will make use this opportunity to showcase Sri Lanka`s unique attractions and locations and will also add value to the event with journeys on the steamed engine train `Viceroy` and the Jetliner Cruise while Sri Lankan dances and fashion parades will add colour to the evening functions.
Sri Lanka Tourism is taking all measures to convey through the participants that Sri Lanka is not only an ideal platform to exchange ideas of mutual interest, but also one of the safest destinations in the world as well as a location with wide diversity which offers a memorable experience to foreign delegates and visitors.
www.lankanewspapers.com
SriLankan Airlines to start services to Kochi and increase capacity to four cities
SriLankan Airlines continues to expand its global route network, with increases in capacity to Karachi, Bahrain, Doha and Muscat, and the launch of a daily service to Kochi.
Just last November, SriLankan increased capacity across its network in support of Sri Lanka’s rapidly expanding tourism industry which is enjoying good times following the permanent end to a 30-year war. Tourist arrivals grew by 46% in 2010.
Alan Wilcock, National Sales Manager for SriLankan in Australia and New Zealand said “SriLankan Airlines is expanding services around the world as rapidly as possible to take advantage in the renewed interest in travel to Sri Lanka. We are also acquiring more aircraft and upgrading our product and services to give passengers the best possible experience on board.”
Much of the increase in capacity is in the Middle East, with the present flights to Bahrain, Doha and Muscat being delinked and operating as direct non stop flights from Colombo to each city. SriLankan will also add a fifth frequency to Pakistan’s largest city Karachi.
The Airline’s seventh destination in India, Kochi will see services recommence from 27th March. This will increase Sri Lankan’s flights to India up to 63 per week. The other destinations are Chennai, Mumbai, Trichy, New Delhi, Bangalore, and Trivandrum.
SriLankan earlier served Kochi from 2003, but temporarily suspended the service in 2009 during the global economic crisis causing a worldwide slump in air travel.
SriLankan also launched a new service to Guangzhou in January, its fourth destination in China.
The Airline is in the midst of a period of sustained long-term growth and has a global route network serving 51 cities in 32 nations. It is expected to acquire seven more aircraft in 2011 in addition to the three it took delivery of in the second half of 2010. It will also upgrade its passenger cabins with Flat Bed Seating and the latest Audio-Video-On-Demand (AVOD) entertainment systems this year. Its domestic service, Sri Lankan Air Taxi, commenced services last December, making any part of the island accessible within minutes.
SriLankan Airlines
Ministry of Tourism to Develop Quality Infrastructure - Annual Report of The Ministry Released
Ministry of Tourism has made consistent efforts to develop quality tourism infrastructure at tourist destinations and circuits. This has been disclosed in the annual report of the Ministry of Tourism released here today. To focus on development of infrastructure at places of national and international importance, the Ministry, through its scheme of providing financial assistance to the State Governments and Union Territory Administrations, has identified 38 mega tourism projects, out of which 26 have been sanctioned till 4th February, 2011.
The Ministry also took an initiative to interact with other Central Government Ministries such as Railways, Food Processing and Urban Development, and also the concerned State Government to achieve convergence so that the impact of investment at the identified destinations is maximized. The Ministry has identified 24 destinations/ circuits in India, based on their tourism potential, to be covered in the first phase of this initiative.
In order to meet the huge skill gap in the hospitality industry, the Ministry has adopted a multipronged strategy which includes strengthening and expanding the institutional infrastructure for training and education. For this purpose, Ministry of Tourism has decided to support creation of new Institutes of Hotel Management (IHM) and Food Craft Institutes (FCI) in States besides providing financial assistances for modernization and capacity enhancement of existing IHMs and FCIs. Under its ‘Hunar Se Rozgar Tak’ training programme for creating employable skills in the hospitality sector, the ministry has trained 4960 youth by 31st December, 2010 against the target of 5500 for 2010-11.
Ministry of Tourism, through its overseas offices, engaged actively in events like road shows and joint promotions with major international airlines linking India to the markets abroad. These road shows highlighted various tourism products and were followed by one-to –one business meetings between the foreign and Indian travel trade delegations. India Tourism Office participated in a number of travel fairs and exhibitions in important tourist generating markets the world over as well as in emerging and potential markets to showcase and promote tourism products of the country.
For cooperation with other countries in the tourism sector, Ministry of Tourism held high-level bilateral discussions with Syria, Mexico, Cyprus, Peru, Sri Lanka, Trinidad & Tobago and Indonesia. The Ministry of Tourism and International Finance Corporation (A member of the World Bank Group) signed a Memorandum of Understanding on 27.10.2010 for the implementation of Integrated Buddhist Circuit Development Strategy.
In its commitment to deliver effective and responsive governance, Ministry of Tourism has formulated its Results Framework Document highlighting its objectives, actions and measurable performance indicators. The ministry has also prepared its Strategic Plan for next five years and the Citizen’s/ Client’s Charter.
http://pib.nic.in/newsite
The Ministry also took an initiative to interact with other Central Government Ministries such as Railways, Food Processing and Urban Development, and also the concerned State Government to achieve convergence so that the impact of investment at the identified destinations is maximized. The Ministry has identified 24 destinations/ circuits in India, based on their tourism potential, to be covered in the first phase of this initiative.
In order to meet the huge skill gap in the hospitality industry, the Ministry has adopted a multipronged strategy which includes strengthening and expanding the institutional infrastructure for training and education. For this purpose, Ministry of Tourism has decided to support creation of new Institutes of Hotel Management (IHM) and Food Craft Institutes (FCI) in States besides providing financial assistances for modernization and capacity enhancement of existing IHMs and FCIs. Under its ‘Hunar Se Rozgar Tak’ training programme for creating employable skills in the hospitality sector, the ministry has trained 4960 youth by 31st December, 2010 against the target of 5500 for 2010-11.
Ministry of Tourism, through its overseas offices, engaged actively in events like road shows and joint promotions with major international airlines linking India to the markets abroad. These road shows highlighted various tourism products and were followed by one-to –one business meetings between the foreign and Indian travel trade delegations. India Tourism Office participated in a number of travel fairs and exhibitions in important tourist generating markets the world over as well as in emerging and potential markets to showcase and promote tourism products of the country.
For cooperation with other countries in the tourism sector, Ministry of Tourism held high-level bilateral discussions with Syria, Mexico, Cyprus, Peru, Sri Lanka, Trinidad & Tobago and Indonesia. The Ministry of Tourism and International Finance Corporation (A member of the World Bank Group) signed a Memorandum of Understanding on 27.10.2010 for the implementation of Integrated Buddhist Circuit Development Strategy.
In its commitment to deliver effective and responsive governance, Ministry of Tourism has formulated its Results Framework Document highlighting its objectives, actions and measurable performance indicators. The ministry has also prepared its Strategic Plan for next five years and the Citizen’s/ Client’s Charter.
http://pib.nic.in/newsite
Wednesday, 23 March 2011
Two islands leased out near Kalpitiya
Two islands near Kalpitiya have been leased out at Rs. 18 million to two foreign companies for investment in tourism for 30 years, Parliament was informed yesterday.
Of them, Vellai Island has been given on lease at Rs. 3.7 million to be developed as a joint investment among Sri Lanka, Maldives and Switzerland, and Inpativu Island at Rs. 14 million to an Indian company named Cube Leisure Property Private Ltd.
The joint venture with Maldives and Switzerland is called Sun Resort Investment Lanka Private Ltd.
Economic Development Deputy Minister Lakshman Yapa Abeywardane told the House in response to a question by UNP MP Gamini Jayawickrama Perera. The Deputy Minister said the lease agreements were revised every five years.
Raising a supplementary question, Mr. Perera asked whether the security aspect had been taken into account in leasing out these islands. Mr. Abeywardane replied that all such aspects had been considered in striking these deals based on recommendations by the Attorney General.
Also, he tabled a copy of the agreement signed in connection with these projects. These are islands used by fishermen for their activities.
dailymirror.lk
Wednesday, 16 March 2011
Sri Lanka tourist arrivals up 14.8-pct in Feb
Sri Lanka's tourist arrivals rose 14.8 percent to 65,797 in February 2011 from a year earlier, though visitors from key generating markets in the United Kingdom and Germany dropped.
February arrivals were also lower than the January peak of 74,197 as the Western European winter season drew to a close. In 2010 tourist arrivals rose 46 percent to 654,476 from low base in 2009 when a 30-year war ended with arrivals growth 30 to 40 percent a month.
Sri Lanka's resort tourism industry in particular depends on the Western European winter season for profits.
Visitors from Western Europe were broadly up 15.8 percent to 31,092 in February with France growing 45.1 percent to 4,993 and the Netherlands 59.2 percent to 2,596, government tourist promotion office data showed.
But tourists from the UK, fell 10.2 percent to 9,614 and tourists from Germany fell 5.1 percent to 5,367.
Smaller markets starting from a low base such as Austria (up 26.8 percent to 909), Belgium (up 43.6 percent to 800) Spain (up 45.3 percent to 494) more than made up for the drop.
Eastern Europe was up 9.2 percent to 4,854 with Russia rising 24.8 percent to 1,524.
East Asia was up 14.0 percent to 6,960. China rose 61.9 percent to 1,742.
South Asia grew 14.5 percent driven by a 20.1 percent rise in India tourist to 10,071. Pakistan rose 43.2 percent to 872. Maldives dropped 7.3 percent to 2,318.
Australia rose 20.9 percent to 2,223.
www.lankabusinessonline.com
February arrivals were also lower than the January peak of 74,197 as the Western European winter season drew to a close. In 2010 tourist arrivals rose 46 percent to 654,476 from low base in 2009 when a 30-year war ended with arrivals growth 30 to 40 percent a month.
Sri Lanka's resort tourism industry in particular depends on the Western European winter season for profits.
Visitors from Western Europe were broadly up 15.8 percent to 31,092 in February with France growing 45.1 percent to 4,993 and the Netherlands 59.2 percent to 2,596, government tourist promotion office data showed.
But tourists from the UK, fell 10.2 percent to 9,614 and tourists from Germany fell 5.1 percent to 5,367.
Smaller markets starting from a low base such as Austria (up 26.8 percent to 909), Belgium (up 43.6 percent to 800) Spain (up 45.3 percent to 494) more than made up for the drop.
Eastern Europe was up 9.2 percent to 4,854 with Russia rising 24.8 percent to 1,524.
East Asia was up 14.0 percent to 6,960. China rose 61.9 percent to 1,742.
South Asia grew 14.5 percent driven by a 20.1 percent rise in India tourist to 10,071. Pakistan rose 43.2 percent to 872. Maldives dropped 7.3 percent to 2,318.
Australia rose 20.9 percent to 2,223.
www.lankabusinessonline.com
Sachinam Holidays to set up its second international office in Sri Lanka by year end
Sachinam Holidays, a Mumbai based tour operator will set up an office in Sri Lanka by end of the year. The Sri Lanka office will be the second international set up of Sachinam Holidays and will service the inbound traffic of the island nation. The company has been operating an office in Dubai since 2005 offering wide range of products and services like holiday packages with hotel accommodation, air tickets, cruise and fleet services. Apart from expansion in Sri Lanka, the company, according to Mukesh Dand, Chairman and Managing Director, Sachinam Holidays is also planning to diversify into the hospitality industry and is working on listing the company to raise capital for hospitality venture through Initial Public Offering (IPO). However, Dand refused to divulge further details on the IPO or the planned hospitality foray.
The company also launched an International Air Transport Association – United Federation of Travel Agents Association (IATA–UFTAA) training programme in Mumbai last year in association with International Air Fare Desk (IAFD). This year the company has announced two batches for the IATA - UFTAA training programme commencing from March 21, and April 1, 2011 respectively. The programme, which includes Foundation and Management course, will be conducted at Sachinam Holidays Mumbai office. The fee for the programme is Rs 50,000 and Rs 70, 000 respectively. “We are looking at starting similar programme at our office in Gujarat by September this year. There is great need for proper training in the industry and we realised the potential of IATA-UFTAA programmes to fill this gap. It is also a good alternative revenue stream and hence partnered with IAFD and agreed to provide our infrastructure to conduct the course in Mumbai. IAFD is also in talks to provide add-on courses for travel and tourism industry which will be certified by Harvard University,” informed Dand.
The main focus of Sachinam Holidays, which has two offices in Mumbai, two in Ahmedabad and one each in Baroda, Surat and Rajkot is the outbound segment. “We are experiencing a huge growth in the outbound segment and expect the business to grow by 30-40 per cent this year,” stated Dand.
www.travelbizmonitor.com
The company also launched an International Air Transport Association – United Federation of Travel Agents Association (IATA–UFTAA) training programme in Mumbai last year in association with International Air Fare Desk (IAFD). This year the company has announced two batches for the IATA - UFTAA training programme commencing from March 21, and April 1, 2011 respectively. The programme, which includes Foundation and Management course, will be conducted at Sachinam Holidays Mumbai office. The fee for the programme is Rs 50,000 and Rs 70, 000 respectively. “We are looking at starting similar programme at our office in Gujarat by September this year. There is great need for proper training in the industry and we realised the potential of IATA-UFTAA programmes to fill this gap. It is also a good alternative revenue stream and hence partnered with IAFD and agreed to provide our infrastructure to conduct the course in Mumbai. IAFD is also in talks to provide add-on courses for travel and tourism industry which will be certified by Harvard University,” informed Dand.
The main focus of Sachinam Holidays, which has two offices in Mumbai, two in Ahmedabad and one each in Baroda, Surat and Rajkot is the outbound segment. “We are experiencing a huge growth in the outbound segment and expect the business to grow by 30-40 per cent this year,” stated Dand.
www.travelbizmonitor.com
SriLankan Airlines to start services to Kochi and increase capacity to four cities
SriLankan Airlines continues to expand its global route network, with increases in capacity to Karachi, Bahrain, Doha and Muscat, and the launch of a daily service to Kochi.
Just last November, SriLankan increased capacity across its network in support of Sri Lanka’s rapidly expanding tourism industry which is enjoying good times following the permanent end to a 30-year war. Tourist arrivals grew by 46% in 2010.
Alan Wilcock, National Sales Manager for SriLankan in Australia and New Zealand said “SriLankan Airlines is expanding services around the world as rapidly as possible to take advantage in the renewed interest in travel to Sri Lanka. We are also acquiring more aircraft and upgrading our product and services to give passengers the best possible experience on board.”
Much of the increase in capacity is in the Middle East, with the present flights to Bahrain, Doha and Muscat being delinked and operating as direct non stop flights from Colombo to each city. SriLankan will also add a fifth frequency to Pakistan’s largest city Karachi.
The Airline’s seventh destination in India, Kochi will see services recommence from 27th March. This will increase Sri Lankan’s flights to India up to 63 per week. The other destinations are Chennai, Mumbai, Trichy, New Delhi, Bangalore, and Trivandrum.
SriLankan earlier served Kochi from 2003, but temporarily suspended the service in 2009 during the global economic crisis causing a worldwide slump in air travel.
SriLankan also launched a new service to Guangzhou in January, its fourth destination in China.
The Airline is in the midst of a period of sustained long-term growth and has a global route network serving 51 cities in 32 nations. It is expected to acquire seven more aircraft in 2011 in addition to the three it took delivery of in the second half of 2010.
It will also upgrade its passenger cabins with Flat Bed Seating and the latest Audio-Video-On-Demand (AVOD) entertainment systems this year. Its domestic service, Sri Lankan Air Taxi, commenced services last December, making any part of the island accessible within minutes.
www.etravelblackboard.com
Ayurveda Expo begins July 15
The Government will conduct ‘Ayurveda Expo 2011’ a mega international indigenous healthcare exhibition, trade fair and symposium to promote Sri Lankan ayurveda and native healthcare in the international markets at the BMICH from July 15 to July 17.
The event will be jointly organized by the Sri Lanka Export Development Board and the National Chamber of Commerce of Sri Lanka in association with the Indigenous Medicine Ministry, Economic Development Ministry, External Affairs Ministry, Industry and Commerce Ministry, Sri Lankan Airline and Sri Lanka Gem and Jewellery Authority. National Chamber of Commerce of Sri Lanka President Ashoka Hettige said that ‘Ayurveda Expo 2011’ will coincide with ‘Visit Sri Lanka 2011’ tourism promotion program and it is the official event in the tourism calendar in the July month which has given priority to promote mental and physical wellness under the theme ‘Bliss’.
More than 20 countries around the world are expected to participate in this mega event. The exhibition will be conducted under four major categories including yoga,meditation, food and wellness. It will showcase products and services from sectors such as nature friendly health food,acupuncture, homoeopathy, beauty care products and a host of other sectors connected with ayurveda,” he said.
”A symposium addressed by world renowned experts on a number of subjects connected to Ayurveda will also be held,” Hettige said. ”The aim of the program is to seek the support of the local and international markets alike to develop local ayurveda products and attract more tourists to the country,” he said. ”This will be very good opportunity for Sri Lankans engaged in Ayurvedic related business to popularize and sell their products and services in the international market,” he said.
www.dailynews.lk
Wednesday, 2 March 2011
Govt rejects all 11 tenders for Kalpitiya tourism development project
*Govt to set a price and lease off land after ‘Treasury Interview’
*Tony Greig gets US$ 10,000 as Sri Lanka Tourism ambassador
The government in future will lease out land for tourism development on a first come first served basis in Kalpitiya in North Western Sri Lanka instead of calling for tenders. The Deputy Economic Development Minister Lakshman Yapa Abeywardane told journalists at a news conference yesterday (1) that the government had rejected tenders from all 11 bidders to develop tourism infrastructure on several islets off Kalpitiya. "We would set a price and lease out land on a first-come-first served basis," he said.
Abeywardane said all eleven tenders have been rejected, but refused to elaborate. "We cannot tell you the reason for this," he told journalists. The Deputy Minister said the government would instead lease out properties on the islets at a rate yet to be determined, similar to a scheme introduced in the North and East.
The government is leasing out land at Rs. 20 million an acre on a 99 year lease in the North and East for tourism development, after an interview with the Treasury.
Abeywardane said two companies will be allocated land after they ‘passed’ the Treasury interview but declined to reveal details about them.
"Four other international hotel chains in the calibre of Shangri La have also commenced discussions with the government," the deputy minister said, again not elaborating.
He said former England Cricket Captain Tony Greig was appointed Sri Lanka Tourism ambassador for US$ 10,000 for a six-month period.
*Tony Greig gets US$ 10,000 as Sri Lanka Tourism ambassador
The government in future will lease out land for tourism development on a first come first served basis in Kalpitiya in North Western Sri Lanka instead of calling for tenders. The Deputy Economic Development Minister Lakshman Yapa Abeywardane told journalists at a news conference yesterday (1) that the government had rejected tenders from all 11 bidders to develop tourism infrastructure on several islets off Kalpitiya. "We would set a price and lease out land on a first-come-first served basis," he said.
Abeywardane said all eleven tenders have been rejected, but refused to elaborate. "We cannot tell you the reason for this," he told journalists. The Deputy Minister said the government would instead lease out properties on the islets at a rate yet to be determined, similar to a scheme introduced in the North and East.
The government is leasing out land at Rs. 20 million an acre on a 99 year lease in the North and East for tourism development, after an interview with the Treasury.
Abeywardane said two companies will be allocated land after they ‘passed’ the Treasury interview but declined to reveal details about them.
"Four other international hotel chains in the calibre of Shangri La have also commenced discussions with the government," the deputy minister said, again not elaborating.
He said former England Cricket Captain Tony Greig was appointed Sri Lanka Tourism ambassador for US$ 10,000 for a six-month period.
Sri Lanka Tourism - Rise in tourist arrivals
Tourist arrivals increased by 46 percent in January this year compared to the corresponding figure in January 2010, a Sri Lanka Tourism Promotion Bureau spokesman said.
According to the report the number of tourist arrivals in Sri Lanka in January 2010 was 50,757 while this year it was 74,197.
The majority of tourists are from South Asian countries. This is a 17,900 rise from 12,524 which indicates a growth of 43 percent.
Out of these South Asian tourists large number has been from India.
This has increased from 9,141 to 13,786, a growth of 51 percent, the spokesman said.
The Government together with the Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority are committed to the development and growth of the local tourism industry. The Board of Investment (BOI) offer potential foreign investors lucrative incentives to start tourism establishments, he said.
The number of European and East Asian tourist arrivals have increased by 54 percent. The number of European arrivals has gone up from 21,230 up to 32,627.
A development can be seen in tourists from North American countries and United States. The North American tourists indicate a 58 percent growth while with the United States it is 62 percent.
He pointed out that ending the three decades war has led to tourist boom with the development of facilities.
According to the report the number of tourist arrivals in Sri Lanka in January 2010 was 50,757 while this year it was 74,197.
The majority of tourists are from South Asian countries. This is a 17,900 rise from 12,524 which indicates a growth of 43 percent.
Out of these South Asian tourists large number has been from India.
This has increased from 9,141 to 13,786, a growth of 51 percent, the spokesman said.
The Government together with the Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority are committed to the development and growth of the local tourism industry. The Board of Investment (BOI) offer potential foreign investors lucrative incentives to start tourism establishments, he said.
The number of European and East Asian tourist arrivals have increased by 54 percent. The number of European arrivals has gone up from 21,230 up to 32,627.
A development can be seen in tourists from North American countries and United States. The North American tourists indicate a 58 percent growth while with the United States it is 62 percent.
He pointed out that ending the three decades war has led to tourist boom with the development of facilities.
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