Business Travel

British award for Grand Hotel

Britain's prestigious travel company SAGA Holidays has honoured the Grand Hotel in Nuwara Eliya with the award for the Highest Quality of Food. This is the third consecutive year Grand Hotel has been selected for this coveted recognition.

SAGA Holidays, the prestigious British travel company enriched by an acclaimed history of over 50 years, has an ever-expanding clientele of discerning British holidaymakers. It is this exclusive high-end clientele who express their individual opinion by voting, which results in this award for distinguished accomplishment.

Managing Director of Mercantile Investment Gerard Ondaatjie, the owning company of Grand Hotel said, "We are confident this prestigious award at this crucial juncture will herald a positive image for the entirety of Sri Lankan tourism industry.

Breathtaking scenic beauty is a major attraction for tourists no doubt. With equal intensity the quality of food too is always a high priority for any tourist. One means nothing without the other? That is why we are elated so much for the country with this SAGA Holidays award.

Due to the overall confidence this recognition creates, there would be an increase in the arrival of tourists in the country. Indeed, this is an ideal fillip to our local tourism industry at a time it is competing hard in the region to build a positive momentum", he said.

Exquisite environs, superlative service and high quality sumptuous food apart, another fascinating fact is that the Grand Hotel is a much admired 'World Heritage Site' - the famous holiday bungalow of Sir Edward Barns who was the Governor of then Ceylon over 100 years ago.

The alluring old English charm has been preserved for the benefit of present-day guests who enjoy such leisurely living and comforts of majestic holidaymaking in style.

The grandeur of the original architecture has been zealously preserved; whatever modern additions too have been so crafted, they blend with the old splendour to a nicety.

Emirates signs $34.9b contracts

Emirates Airline signed contracts for a 120 Airbus A350s, 11 A380s and 12 Boeing 777-300ERs, worth an estimated US$ 34.9 billion in list prices.

Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al-Maktoum, Emirates' Chairman and Chief Executive signed the contracts with Tom Enders, Airbus President and CEO, and Lee Monson, Vice President Middle East and Africa Sales, Boeing Commercial Airplanes at the 10th Dubai Airshow.

The agreement with airbus comprises firm orders for 50 A350-900s and 20 A350-1000s, plus 50 options for the A350-900s. The first A350 will be delivered to Emirates in 2014.

Emirates also firmed up orders on the eight A380s for which it had signed letters of intent earlier this year, and placed firm orders for an additional three of the double-decker aircraft, bringing its total firm order for the A380s to 58.

The contract with Boeing is for 12 firm orders of the 777-300ERs, valued at US$ 3.2 billion. With this new order, Emirates now has 57 Boeing 777s pending delivery and is set to become the world's largest 777 operator in the next few years.

Sheikh Ahmed also inked agreements with Sir John Rose, Chief Executive of Rolls Royce for the Trent XWB engines to power Emirates' new A350s; with Bruce Hughes, President of the Engine Alliance for the GP7200 to power its additional A380s and with Scott Donnelly, President and CEO of GE Aviation for GE90 engines to power Emirates' 777-300ERs.

Jetwing Warwick Gardens launched at Ambewela

Jetwing Hotels Ltd., a pioneer in the travel and hotel sector launched the Jetwing Warwick Gardens,' a luxury bungalow at Ambewela for the high end customers and honeymooners.

The century old abandoned colonial bungalow was bought by Jetwing and restored by the renowned architect Channadaswatte which is now being turned into an elegant and attractive leisure home.

Managing Director, Jetwing Hotels Ltd. Hiran Cooray said the bungalow built on a 30-acre land offers a fine destination for discerning travellers and for those seeking an eco-friendly outing away from the hustle and bustle of city life.

The luxury bungalow was built with an investment of Rs. 50 million to offer visitors a comfortable holiday with modern amenities and entertainment.

The bungalow comprises five elegantly designed rooms of which the master bedroom is named Warwick. The second largest room is named Netherleigh. Of the five rooms, four are equipped with fireplaces.

Among the other facilities the bungalow offers are the library, television lounge, sitting room and outdoor and indoor recreation, farm, and orchard.

Cooray said with the festive season round the corner there has been a good number of visitors and the response has been positive.