Travel / Lifestyle

Focus Sri Lanka 2007 Expo and Cultural Show from May 28-29

The Focus Sri Lanka 2007 Expo and Cultural Show will be held from May 28 - 29 at the California Market Centre in downtown Los Angeles to promote Trade, Investment, Tourism and Culture of Sri Lanka.

It will include a "cash and carry" exhibit hall preview on Monday, May 28 at 1 pm, followed by a cultural show in the evening, at 7. Tuesday, May 29, Focus Sri Lanka's diverse exhibits which will be open to trades people and wholesale buyers, from 10am - 6pm.

Focus Sri Lanka's exhibits spotlight exotic and marketable Sri Lankan imports, including Apparel, Ayurvedic Spa products, the world's best Ceylon tea, decorative accessories, gifts, gem and jewellery, homeware, handmade recycle paper, natural and organic products and spices.

Sri Lanka's rapidly growing tourism industry will also be represented including action/adventure travel, eco tourism, and luxury resorts.

The event includes many special attractions, designed to demonstrate the often surprising variety this beautiful country has to offer - a screening of the Bollywood film "Water," and a chance to meet its young Sri Lankan star, Sarala; appearances by Sri Lankan all-star cricket players; a 'Cooking with Tea' demonstration by celebrity chef Robert Wemischner; a pottery wheel demonstration and a tea queen beauty pageant.

Focus Sri Lanka will also feature a prize draw for round trip airfare to Sri Lanka courtesy SriLankan Airlines, and luxury accommodation at a world-class hotel and Ayurvedic spa.

A sample of Sri Lanka's world renowned Ceylon tea, along with other goodies, will be given to all visitors in their expo bags.

Focus Sri Lanka 2007 was conceptualised and created by the Consul General of Sri Lanka in Los Angeles, Jaliya Wickramasuriya, to increase trade between America and Sri Lanka, and to educate the public about the many charms found on this Indian Ocean island paradise.

"Sri Lanka truly is a land like no other!" said, Wickramasuriya, "From her majestic mountaintops and lush tea plantations, through the rainforests, to the exotic Indian Ocean beaches and luxurious resorts and spas - there's something for everyone in Sri Lanka.

We look forward to welcoming buyers and the public to this dynamic trade and cultural experience, Focus Sri Lanka 2007!" "Focus Sri Lanka will bring together 40 innovative Sri Lankan exporters with serious American buyers in search of extraordinarily unique imports," said Gamini Pemasiri, the Consul of Commerce at the Sri Lankan Consulate," "Focus Sri Lanka will also demonstrate the nation's attractive investment opportunities and world-class manufacturing and fulfilment abilities."

Collaborating partners of Focus Sri Lanka include The Ministry of Export Development and International Trade of Sri Lanka, the Ministry of Tourism, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Sri Lanka Tea Board, the National Gem and Jewellery Authority, the Sri Lanka Film Corporation and SriLankan Airlines.

Sponsors benefit by reaching the public as well as top-tier buyers and sourcing agents for the US market's most influential importing companies.

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Emirates readies new Dubai-Venice link

From 1587 the cities of Dubai and Venice have been linked.

When Emirates begins its non-stop service to Venice on July 1, the two cities will once again be linked. The service will initially operate five times a week (on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday and Sunday) and will become a daily service from September this year.

An Emirates delegation, led by Keith Longstaff, Senior Vice President, Commercial Operations Europe, was in Venice to introduce the Dubai-based airline's award-winning product and service to over 650 travel and cargo agents from across Italy and Slovenia.

Longstaff said: "Our non-stop service will connect our extensive network to Venice and the surrounding areas, including the Italian cities of Verona, Trieste, Florence and Bologna; as well as the neighbouring country of Slovenia.

"Venice is a popular tourism destination and an important gateway in northern Italy for commerce. Our new service will contribute to Italy's many flourishing small and medium-sized businesses by providing increased access to Venice from other major cities around the globe via Dubai."

Emirates is activating a number of initiatives to promote the new route; an outdoor and press advertising campaign, consisting of a striking image of a historic Venetian sailing ship, will be rolled out across the network in May, targeting the main magazines, newspapers and trade press.