Business Travel

Aitken Spence to expand hotel chain in the Maldives

By Lalin Fernandopulle

[email protected]

The Aitken Spence Group will expand its hotel chain in the Maldives this year as the island offers better business opportunities for the hotel industry, Chairman, Aitken Spence Hotels Holdings PLC, Harry Jayawardena said.

He was speaking at a ceremony at the Trans Asia Hotel in connection with the award won by Adaaran ‘Prestige’ Water Villas in the Maldives at the World Travel Awards which concluded recently in China.

“The achievement was a Herculean task and we would not have won if not for the role played by our gallant warriors. The Group is proud to have won an ‘Oscar’ competing with several leading international brands in the Maldives”, Jayawardena said.

Jayawardena paid tribute to his predecessors who took a decision to move to the international arena and contributed their best to develop the hotel chain. The World Travel Awards which was launched in 1993 to recognise and reward excellence in the travel and tourism industry is regarded as the highest achievement that a travel or hotel product could receive.

Travel professionals from 167,000 travel agencies, tour and transport companies and tourism organisations in over 167 countries cast votes to select the winners of the awards.

“The Group will develop its international chain to support local hotels which are not doing well due to the present situation in the country. Travel advisories are a major impediment to develop the hotel industry”, the business tycoon said.

Tourists are not keen to visit the country as they do not receive travel insurance cover when a country is under travel advisories. Tourists will not take a risk to visit a country that is not safe. As a result of the low turnover of travellers most hotels in the South are on the verge of closure.

CEO, Managing Director Adaaran Resorts Maldives Chethiya Perera said Adaaran provides unique concepts to its valued guests offering them the best luxury with the highest standards.

Situated on the Meedhupparu Island in Raa Atoll, the 20 luxury water villas are the epitome of what one could wish for unparalleled comfort. Guests tailor-make their own holiday.

The butler service of the water villas was awarded five stars by the International Institute of Modern Butlers in London early this year. The Adaaran resorts owns eight properties which include Adaaran ‘Prestige Water Villas, Ocean Villas, and the Adaaran Prestige’ Vadoo, its latest addition due to commence operations early next year.

Aitken Spence Hotels Holdings PLC, operates leading hotels in South Asia and the Middle East.

Emirates spreads its wings in India

Set against a backdrop of booming trade ties and escalating travel between Dubai and India, Emirates, plans to advance its Indian operation with 18 additional flights per week from July 1.

The Dubai-based airline will step up its frequencies to New Delhi, and IT hubs, Bangalore and Hyderabad, progressing its Indian footprint to 132 flights per week - the highest ever frequency for an international carrier in the Indian skies.

In time to support the holiday season, the new frequencies will be introduced between July and October 2008.

Closely following its recent announcement to introduce a second daily operation to New Delhi, Emirates introduced four additional weekly frequencies to the capital city, one each on Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Sunday from July 2.

The enhanced capacity - 18 flights per week - will provide corporate travellers smooth connections to international business hubs such as New York, London, Frankfurt and Paris via Dubai.

It will also offer more flight options to North India’s holiday seekers and students travelling to North America, UK, Switzerland and Mauritius.

Wins two awards from Emirates

Meanwhile, the passenger and cargo operations of Emirates in Sri Lanka have been recognised for outstanding performance in 2007-08 with two top accolades presented at Emirates’ worldwide annual commercial conference in Dubai.

Emirates’ Sales Manager for Sri Lanka, Devika Ellepola, accepted the Outstanding Achievements Award in the Passenger category from Salem Obaidalla, Emirates’ Senior Vice President Commercial Operations, West Asia and Indian Ocean, while the Best GSA Award from Emirates Sky Cargo was presented to Damian Jayasuriya, Emirates’ Cargo Manager, Sri Lanka and Maldives by Ram Menen, Divisional Senior Vice President Cargo, Emirates.

SriLankan Holidays Mega Giveaways

Enjoy up to five extra night or upgrades to five star hotels free this season from SriLankan Holidays’ Mega Giveaways promotion this season. The Mega Giveaways offer is valid with SriLankan Holidays’ popular Mega 999 packages booked to selected destinations till the end of July.

Destinations included in the promotion are London, Frankfurt, Dubai, Ooty, Cochin, Bangalore, Goa, Chennai, Bombay, Delhi and Hyderabad. SriLankan Holidays’ General Manager Amith Sumanapala said, “We are always looking at new ways to make a holiday more memorable and give more irresistible reasons to take that long over due vacation without the worry of additional costs.”

“The special offer is available across our range of packages, including our exclusive Platinum holiday packages.” Some of the exclusive offers include free upgrade to the Hyatt in Dubai or to selected Taj properties in India. Travellers opting for extra nights can enjoy upto five extra nights in Delhi and Goa or three extra nights in London.

Inflight comfort on Cathay Pacific

Passengers on Cathay Pacific Airways long haul flights can now enjoy a luxurious cabin that takes in-flight comfort to inspiring new heights similar to the ambience of a five-star hotel suite.

The enhanced flying experience is for passengers in all classes - First, Business and Economy. Designed with exacting attention to detail, the new cabin interior maximises personal space to offer the ultimate in relaxation and convenience.

Cathay Pacific Sri Lanka Country Manager Julian Lyden, said: “The new design creates a cabin environment that is soothing and very well appointed. It is aimed to create a level of quality and attention to detail that exceeds the ordinary.”

The innovative extra long and wide bed in the First Class cabin is the largest provided in any commercial airline with the added comfort of a lumbar massage function.

An extendable table enables passengers to invite friends to join them in their in-flight suite.

Business Class passengers can enjoy a fully flat bed with a one-button command that helps to truly redefine long-haul travel.

The seat features enhanced privacy and can be easily adjusted to suit the individual needs of passengers.

The ‘herringbone’ layout in the Business Class provides unrestricted aisle access from all seats.

Passenger Sales and Marketing Manager, Cathay Pacific Sri Lanka Ruhan Abbas, said: “We are always conscious that our passengers seek greater privacy and more space on long haul flights and are pleased to offer them a truly relaxing atmosphere.

These new cabin designs now feature on 24 Cathay Pacific aircraft flying from Hong Kong to North America, Europe and Australia.”