Travel/Lifestyle

Around 5,000 tourists due here in next few months

Lanka bags four PATA awards:

by Lalin Fernandopulle

Tourist arrivals will increase and there will be around 5,000 in the next few months with the French Government fully relaxing its travel advisory and the English Test tournament commencing in the coming weeks, said CEO Sri Lanka Tourism Promotion Bureau Dileep Mudadeniya.

He was addressing the media on Sri Lanka's achievements at the Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA) Gold Awards 2007.

Mudadeniya said the tourism industry will be on a solid growth path with the new Tourism Authority set up under the Tourism Act which came into force from October 1.

"The number of arrivals and the occupancy rate have picked up during the past few months and the promotional campaigns organised to capture the French and German tourist markets and the targets set for the industry could be achieved in the next few years", he said.

He said though the security situation could have a negative impact on tourism it is not a major threat to the industry. Tourists have never been targets of terror attacks and security has been provided to ensure their safety.

When asked about the hassle tourists have to face on roads to get to their destination due to the security provided to politicians, he said such security measures were vital and that no country is free from the threat of terrorism.

The PATA achievements showed the commitment of those in the industry and their determination to market the destination.

Sri Lanka won four awards at the PATA Travel Mart 2007 in Bali Indonesia on September 28. SriLankan Airlines, Jetwing Hotels and Chaaya Hotels and Resorts were the award winners for their campaigns.

SriLankan Airlines clinched the first Gold Award for 'Home away from home' at the Travel Mart for the best marketing campaign for an airline. Jetwing Hotels won a Grand Award in the education and training category. Chaaya Hotels and Resorts won two Gold Awards in the environment, eco-tourism and the marketing media-CD rom categories.

Managing Director Jetwing Hotels Ruan Samarasinghe said the aims of the 'We dream a dream..' project were to solve the human resource shortage at the Jetwing Vil Uyana in Sigiriya and provide employment to young people and pass on the benefits of tourism to the community.

The 'Home away from home' campaign gained immense popularity in the country and abroad for its warmth and hospitality. We will continue to be the preferred choice of Sri Lankans, be it leisure or business travellers who want the comfort of home when they travel, Head of Corporate Communications, SriLankan Airlines, Chandana de Silva said.

CEO Chaaya Hotels and Resorts Jayantissa Kehelpannala said it was a great achievement to be selected from among 339 entries sent in by 132 organisations. The team effort of the staff is commendable, he said.

PATA promotes sustainable tourism in the region through its annual awards presentation to recognise achievements for innovation, excellence and for setting industry standards.

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Pizza treat at Echo

Cinnamon Grand Colombo, promises the ultimate pizza treat for those with a passion for authentic Italian pizza at Echo, the hotel's popular Italian restaurant, from October 11-21 during lunch and dinner.

On the menu is Master Chef Giuseppe's deep pan, thin crispy, folded and open folded pizza options with various toppings.

The pizza repertoire includes Pizza biancaneve - a Mozzarella spinach, pine nut ricotta and gorgonzola combination, Pizza siciliana - tomato mozzarella anchovies, capers, sun-dried tomato and goat cheese, Pizza gamberi e zucchini - tomato mozzarella, prawns and zucchini and the Focaccia Calzone pizza menu with its six different varieties of pizza options, Calzone frutti di mare - a mixed seafood calzone and the Focaccia Bianca con pepperoni carciofi e olive nere - an open folded plain pizza with mozzarella bell peppers artichoke and the black olives combination.

Hospitality Industry programs from Continental Educators

by Hiran H. Senewiratne

The Hospitality Industry, a staggering US $ one trillion service sector globally comprises hotels, restaurants and casinos. Although the industry is cyclical dictated by fluctuations in the international market, it is one of the largest industries in the world.

The Hospitality industry still remains a major component of many economies. The sector employs a large number of workers worldwide from front office staff, chefs, waiters, concierges, chambermaids, clerical workers and professional workers such as accountants and business executives.

With these developments in the hospitality industry, the Singaporean based educational institute, Continental Educators is offering a Hospitality related course at affordable cost especially for third world countries, its Director Rabind Pereira said.

He said that the hospitality industry has more than 280 various job opportunities worldwide. Continental Educators offers courses from Certificate to Advanced Diploma on Hospitality Industry programs which are internationally recognised.

Elaborating on the one and half-year Advanced Diploma program Pereira said that the first year comprises 12 modules and the student has to undergo on the job training in a hotel and any related areas for the remaining six months.

A panel of world famous lecturers designs the Hospitality program syllabus, he said. Many countries especially the USA, UK and Australia recognises the Advanced Diploma program.

After completing the Advanced Diploma Program students could seek first year exemptions in certain foreign universities.

At present 150 Sri Lankan students are following programs either on a full time or part-time basis.

Many Sri Lankan students following the Hospitality program in Sri Lanka commended the program from the Edex educational exhibition, he said.