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| Sunday, 10 November 2002 |
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| News Business Features Editorial
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Galway Miridiya -the tourist paradise in the Cultural Triangle by BEVERLEY JANSZ
The oldest tourist hotel in Anuradhapura, the Galway Miridiya Lodge opened its doors in 1968 as the Miridiya Hotel. Overlooking the scenic Nuwara Wewa Tank and the world famous Mihintale, the Galway Miridiya Lodge, is a tourist paradise in Sri Lanka's Cultural Triangle. Miridiya was originally built as twin houses. In 1968 with the incentives offered for tourism, it was converted to a hotel by connecting the passage between the houses and building a restaurant in front. This was followed by building a new 10-room block and a 22-room hotel was opened in 1970. Galway Hotel Management Services Rajagiriya became the owners of the Galway Miridiya Lodge since May 2000. Since this company bought over the hotel, a massive refurbishment has been done and it has been upgraded to a star class hotel offering tourists all modern facilities. Galway Hotel Management Services is planning to list the Galway Miridiya Lodge under the holding company, Galway Hotel Holdings Ltd., Chief Executive Officer, Galway Hotel Management Services Ltd. Ken Peiris said.Now the hotel has expanded its wings to 52 star class guest rooms equipped with all modern facilities. It has a large swimming pool which overlooks the scenic Nuwara Wewa tank and Mihintale. It has a banquet hall which could accommodate over 200 guests. It has two bars with an assortment of liquor and beverages. The hotel has been tastefully landscaped to blend with the scenic Nuwara Wewa tank which overlooks the hotel.
The latest addition to the Galway Miridiya Lodge will be 24 Eco lodges, a 24 hour Coffee Shop and BBQ and beer garden. The eco lodges, with a jungle atmosphere, will be built overlooking the Nuwara Wewa tank. The adventure program of the Galway Miridiya Lodge includes white-water rafting, jungle trekking, mountain-biking, sky gliding, parachute jumping and jungle safaris. The Sunday lunch buffet offered by the hotel, has become very popular not only among in-house guests but outsiders. It offers an array of delicious food items, including international cuisine and Sri Lankan favourites. Galway Miridiya Lodge, Anuradhapura and Galway Forest Lodge, Nuwara Eliya are owned and managed by Galway Hotel Management Services Ltd. Rajagiriya. ************************** Hotels Corp. gets modern building The building which housed the Ceylon Hotels Corporation, at Galle Road, Bambalapitiya has been given a new looks with a complete renovation, elevating it to a modern structure. The renovation came under the personal eye of CHC Chairman, Bodhisiri Ranasinghe, at a cost of rupees 9.5 million, Senior Manager, Marketing/Travel, Ranjith Balasuriya said. The complex was ceremonially declared open by Minister of Tourism, Gamini Lokuge last week. The welfare society of the Ceylon Hotels Corporation has also opened a canteen at the roof top, for the benefit of CHC employees. 'This was a long felt need' Balasuriya said. The colourful ceremony was followed by an all night pirith and a sangika dana the following morning.Also located here, is the CHC Travel Bureau which offers tourists all travel information. The travel bureau has become extremely popular not only among foreign tourists but Sri Lankans, Balasuriya said. ************************** Gabo-Sparklink-Pyramid : ABACUS selects Lankans as leading travel distributors in Asia Pacific by Beverley Jansz Gabo travels, Sparklink Travels and Pyramid Air Services were recognised as leading travel distributors in the Asia Pacific, by ABACUS International at the 'World of Opportunities', the fourth biannual International Conference held in Thailand last month. The conference brought together top travel achievers from ABACUS Asia-Pacific markets, including worldwide leading airline, hotel, car, cruise and travel-insurance companies, IT-solution providers and many more. The key focus was on creating value for travel agents so that they remain relevant and competitive in the rapidly changing travel market place. Chairman/Managing Director, Pyramid Air Services Ltd. V. Mahathevan, emphasizing the contribution of the conference said that true to its theme, Pyramid Air Services foresaw the opportunities open and opted principally to tie up with the Abacus Global Distribution System from the inception of their operations in Sri Lanka. This year's conference was an excellent platform for networking, discussions and learning. Addressing the participants at the conference, Vice President and Head, Associate Sales, Rogelic A. Sarreal said 'There is an increasing focus on airlines maximizing revenue opportunities and reducing total costs'. The program also included thought-provoking plenary sessions, interactive workshops and exhibition by leading companies in the travel industry. ABACUS International Lanka was represented by a 17 member delegation comprising CEOs and Managing Directors of Mackinnons, Ceylon Carriers, Key Travels, Ceylinco Universal, Travel Joy, The Traveller, Thomas Cook Travel, Gabo Travels, Sparklink Travels and Pyramid Air Services. Gabo Travels Chairman, Gabo Peiris on receiving his award said 'It was with great pride that I accept the star award on behalf of Gabo Travels at the ABACUS conference. 'We really appreciate ABACUS giving us international recognition as business leaders in the travel industry, Peiris said. Singapore based ABACUS International is the Asia-Pacific's largest Global Distribution System (GDS) and Computerised Reservations System (CRS). It provides travel information and reservations specially tailored for the Asia-Pacific. ABACUS International Lanka Ltd. is a joint venture between ABACUS and Softlogic Holdings (Pvt) Ltd. The other partner is TAASL (Travel Agents Association of Sri Lanka). ABACUS International Lanka Ltd.'s Managing Director is Ashok Pathirage. |
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