Travel / Lifestyle

SLTB representation at three events in Dubai and Abu Dhabi

by Surekha Galagoda

The Sri Lanka Tourist Board(SLTB) will represent Sri Lanka at three events to be held in Dubai and Abu Dhabi. They are the Emirates Holidays Brochure launch held from April 27-29, Arabian Travel Market May 1- 4 and Baharain International Travel Expo from May 8-10.

All ground Handling Agents of Emirates representing Europe, Middle East and Africa participated in the prestigious event held in Dubai. Sisira Abeyratna represented the SLTB.

The Arabian Travel Market will be held from May 1-4 at the Dubai International Convention and Exhibition Centre.Ceylon tea will be the theme this year at the Sri Lankan stand while there will be a free tea service by the Sri Lanka Tea Board assisted by HVA Beverages (Pvt) Ltd.

Deputy Minister of Tourism Faiser Musthapha and Additional Director General Marketing Dilip Mudadeniya will represent the SLTB while 25 companies representing the hospitality industry including Jetwing Hotels and Travels, Confifi Hotels, Sunway Hotels, Galadari Hotel, Ncar Travels, Mount Lavinia Hotel, Asian Adventures, Eco Team, Rosen Tours, Aitken Spence Travels, Walkers Tours, United Holidays, Tangerine Tours, Barberine Reef, Ayurveda Resort, Silverline Tours, Hemtours, Lanka Vacations, Aditya Resort, Dream Vacations, Tea Trails, Way Farers, Taj Hotels Amaya Hotels and Spas and Ceylon Tours will participate.

The National Gem and Jewellery Authority will sell Sri Lankan gemstones. Plans have already been drawn up to advertise the Sri Lankan booth in the TTG Middle East Magazine and the Gulf Traveller and free copies of these magazines will be distributed at the ATM.

A gala reception will be held on May 1 and all travel agents have been invited for this event organised by the SLTB.

In addition there will be a radio promotion and the winner will be entitled to visit Sri Lanka.

During the first two days of the Arabian Travel Market the Deputy Minister and the Additional Director General will conduct one on one business meetings with potential customers.

The Marina Shopping Mall will be the venue for the Bahrain International Travel Expo to be held from May 8-10.

Deputy Minister Musthapha will represent the Sri Lankan Government while the industry will be represented by Jetwing Hotels and Travels, Asian Adventures, Aitken Spence Travels, Walkers Tours and Bernard Tours.

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Butler service for Cinnamon Lodge, Habarana

Cinnamon Lodge Habarana has introduced a 24-hour butler service for its four luxurious villa-styled suites in keeping with the Cinnamon promise of indulgence. This service is also available for other rooms at a special supplementary rate, a spokesman for the hotel said.

Nestled in the Cultural Triangle, 107 miles from Colombo, Cinnamon Lodge Habarana is a time halting destination for discerning travellers seeking the pleasures of affordable indulgence.

The butler service will help to add that extra touch of flair to the total indulgence experience, especially for discerning travellers, the spokesman said.

"The service will enable guests to enjoy holiday indulgence without the intricacies of planning or organising holiday details, once they check into the hotel. The butler will ensure that everything from dining to excursions and other holiday related arrangements are taken care of. It's about relaxation and indulgence in its fullest sense," he said.

The 27 acre property, with 138 uniquely-styled rooms, is the first resort hotel of the Cinnamon Hotels and Resorts chain, the premiere brand of John Keells Holdings Ltd.

The hotel's US $2 million re-branding and refurbishment exercise, early this year, was part of a larger initiative, to reposition the property to cater to the top end leisure segment and add a new dimension to the country's resort option, he said. The new suites, named after popular wood tree species Ebony, Ivy, Cedar and Satin, are the pride of Cinnamon Lodge.