Business Travel

Final report on community based sustainable tourism development

The Advisory Panel on Community Based Tourism has submitted its Final Report on community based sustainable tourism development in Sri Lanka to Minister of Tourism Milinda Moragoda.

This report identifies two categories of community based tourism projects. The first category represents the projects recommended by the advisory panel for implementation. The second category represents the projects reviewed by the panel for future consideration.

The recommendation of the proposed projects for the implementation is primarily based on the principles of community based sustainable tourism development.

In addition, availability of tourism related resources, location-based comparative advantages, marketability of the proposed service/products, time duration for implementation, life duration of the project, size of the budget and components of the budget, self financing of the project at the beginning of the project, economic and financial viability and other important criteria have been considered for this recommendation. Multi ethnic and multi religious community representation has also been accounted.

The report presents the panel’s policy recommendations for the development of community based tourism in Sri Lanka with the vision that “Stand Together for Rekindling the Flames of Heritage and Pride of Our Communities”.

To achieve this vision the committee recommended the introduction of a national level awareness program for all stakeholders of community based tourism development in Sri Lanka, Establish a well coordinated administrative mechanism and organisational setting at national and local level to implement community based tourism projects and programs, and develop an informative database for community based tourism that should be accessible for all stakeholders of the industry such as important national level involvements.

The Advisory Panel on Community Based Tourism is headed by Dr. D. A. C. Silva, Chairman of the Advisory Panel (Senior Lecturer, University of Colombo) and Palitha Gurusinghe, Coordinator of the Advisory Panel (President of Sri Lanka Eco Tourism Foundation).

The Executive Members are Dr. Wimalarathana Thera, Senior Lecturer, University of Colombo, Dr. Thilak T Ranasinghe, Director, Dept. of Agriculture, Western Province, Palitha Wijemanne, General Manager, Confifi Hotel supplies, Gehan de Silva Wijeyeratne, CEO - Jetwing Eco Holidays, Mrs. Sepalika Sudasinghe, Consultant, SLIDA, U. P. S. Pathirana, Director, Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority, D. L. A. H. Shammika, Lecturer, University of Ruhuna, M. S. M. Aslem, Senior Lecturer, Sabaragamuwa University.

Tourism has undeniable potential for pro-poor economic development in Sri Lanka.

Community heritage and resources are now increasingly becoming decisive inputs for tourism development as there is an increasing demand for community based tourism services emerging among global tourists given the present focus on sustainable development.

D. A. C. Silva, Chairman of the Advisory Panel in his introduction outline the benefits of the growth in the tourism industry can permeate to all other sectors of the economy through its forward and particularly its backward linkages.

Emirates non-stop flights between Dubai and Cape Town

Emirates achieved a new milestone as it touched down to the vibrant beats of the African drums at Cape Town - its 100th global destination, and second gateway in South Africa.

Signalling the start of daily, non-stop flights between Dubai, the nerve centre of the Middle East, and Cape Town, one of the world’s most beautiful cities, the inaugural flight EK 770 piloted by South African native, Capt. Chris Rademan received a traditional water canon salute while onboard passengers were greeted by a pulsating performance by members of the Marimba band.

A high-level Emirates delegation comprising Nabil Sultan, Senior Vice President Commercial Operations, Gulf, Middle East and Iran and Adnan Kazim, Senior Vice President Commercial Operations, Africa flew on the first flight accompanied by some 250 passengers from 18 countries, some coming from the United States, France, Germany, Poland, Kuwait, Bahrain, India and Pakistan, in addition to Emirates’ home base, the United Arab Emirates.

The Emirates delegation and passengers were welcomed by Lynne Brown, Member of the Executive Council, Western Cape Province; Calvyn Gilfellan, Chief Executive Officer, Cape Town Routes Unlimited, the official tourism destination marketing organisation for Cape Town and the Western Cape and over 50 representatives from Airports Company South Africa (ACSA) and Emirates South Africa.

As a result of South Africa’s growing economy and the escalating demand for air travel, the Dubai-based airline has steadily built its presence in the country.

Last year, Emirates strengthened its 14-flights-per-week Johannesburg service with an additional frequency, taking the weekly total to 21 flights.

Travel deals for Standard Chartered Credit Cardholders

Standard Chartered Credit Cardholders will enjoy the best overseas travel deals from a range of destinations that include Chennai, Bangalore, Maldives, Bangkok and Pattaya, Malaysia, Singapore and Dubai, special travel packages to Egypt, Europe, America and a special Buddhist pilgrimage to India and Nepal.

All the travel packages include a return air ticket on economy class, twin sharing accommodation at star class hotels with breakfast and return airport transfers.

The special travel packages would include additional benefits of sight seeing on tours during which most meals will also be provided. Standard Chartered Cardholders are also offered the privilege of opting to settle their credit card payment on account of any of the travel packages via a 0% interest instalment plan in 3, 6, 9 or 12 equal monthly instalments. These special travel deals are offered up to May 31.

“This is yet another key partnership made by Standard Chartered Bank in its commitment to offer its Cardholders some of the best deals. Since the Travel Holiday Season is fast approaching Cardholders will definitely see value in these travel deals and benefit from this promotion.