Travel

Relief for tsunami affected tourism projects

The Central Bank of Sri Lanka (CBSL) has decided to grant an extension of the repayment period by two years and the grace period by one year for the loans granted to tsunami affected tourism sector related projects under SUSAHANA and Small Business Revival Program (SBRP) loan schemes implemented by the CBSL.

The CBSL through 32 Participating Financial Institutions (PFIs) implemented two major refinance loan schemes, i.e. SUSAHANA and SBRP to assist Micro Small and Medium scale Enterprises (MSMEs) that were affected by the tsunami. Under the above two schemes a total number of 10,532 affected enterprises in the tsunami affected regions have been financed with a total amount of Rs. 5,764 million during 2005-2007. Approximately 400 tourism related MSMEs including hotels, restaurants, guest houses, gem and jewellery businesses, batik and garments had been financed with Rs. 1,077 million under the above loan schemes.

As estimated by the Ministry of Tourism, 586 establishments had been directly affected by tsunami, out of which 65 establishments fall under medium and large scale hotels and restaurants, which were allowed to borrow a maximum loan amount up to Rs.60 million per borrower under the schemes. Borrowers have been granted a two year grace period prior to commencement of repayment plus eight year total repayment period to settle the loans.

During the recent past, many tourism related enterprises reported that their income has been affected due to low tourist arrivals, and requested the CBSL to consider extension of the grace period and loan repayment period to settle their dues without much difficulty.

Accordingly, considering the magnitude of the impact of the industry to the national economy and the cash flow constraints currently experienced by some of the affected sub projects, the CBSL has approved the following relief package for the borrowers who obtained loans for tourism related projects under SUSAHANA and SBRP loan schemes:

Extension of the grace period further by one year making the total grace period to 3 years for tsunami affected enterprises which borrowed loans from PFIs under the two loan schemes, i.e. SUSAHANA and Small Business Revival Program (SBRP), implemented by the Regional Development Department of the Central Bank of Sri Lanka.

(b) Enhancement of the maximum repayment period from 8 to 10 years, including 3-year grace period, for such rescheduled loans under SUSAHANA and SBRP.

The PFIs have already been informed to take action to reschedule such loans and charge only the interest at 6 percent per annum during the extended grace period considering the cash flow constraints of each sub project.

FlySmiles Charm at SriLankan

SriLankan Airlines launched its ‘FlySmiles’ frequent flyer program, in partnership with ten major companies to provide a wide range of rewards for its customers worldwide.

Agreements were signed with Malaysia Airlines, Etihad Airways, Dialog Telekom, American Express, Standard Chartered, Travelling Connect, Hertz, Taj Hotels Resorts and Palaces, Siddhalepa and Deccan Aviation Lanka.

SriLankan Airlines CEO, Manoj Gunawardena said the company is confident that the partners will add value to the FlySmiles program and enrich the journey of members.

Members will be able to earn FlySmiles miles points during their daily activities without travelling by using co-branded credit cards for purchases through the mobile phone.

The ten partners provide services through FlySmiles co-branded credit cards.

Head of Worldwide Sales, SriLankan Airlines, Mohamed Fazeel said all its partners are related to the global travel industry and members can earn rewards throughout their journey. LF

Festive packages from Cathay Pacific

Cathay Pacific has introduced a range of packages for the forthcoming Chinese New Year that’s celebrated with a grand fiesta between January 26 and February 15.

The festivities spill over to neighbouring Bangkok, Singapore and Hong Kong as well as China. Passengers flying Cathay Pacific can take advantage of the special offers timed for the festivities that promise to be fun-packed complete with a Cathay Pacific Chinese New Year night parade in Hong Kong - a breathtaking and spectacular display of floats, brilliantly lit up.

Cathay Pacific offer travel packages to China where the celebrations are at its peak, Shanghai, Beijing and Xiamen. Both packages are for 3 days and 2 nights with round trip economy class ticket and hotel accommodation with breakfast and valid till April 30.

The Xiamen package also includes airport transfers.

If you want to fly to Hong Kong, the package of 3 days and 2 nights is on offer which is inclusive of round trip economy class ticket, hotel stay with breakfast, return airport transfers and a half day city tour. You get 10kg excess baggage as a bonanza on the return trip after you have shopped to your heart’s content.

The package is valid till March 15.

If Singapore or Bangkok is where your heart is set, there are packages for 3 days and 2 nights comprising round trip economy class ticket, hotel stay with breakfast, return airport transfers and half day city tour. Bangkok packages also offers a dazzling discount voucher at King Power Duty Free shop. Packages valid till March 31. All packages exclude taxes.

Talking about the Chinese New Year Packages designed for the celebrations Ms. Ruhan Abbas, Sales & Marketing Manager for Cathay Pacific Airways Colombo said: “It’s a special time of the year that should not be missed and provides a memorable opportunity for families to enjoy the dazzling display that goes hand in hand with Hong Kong & China’s cultural heritage.”

Singapore Airlines to fly the largest passenger plane

From 1 June 2009, Singapore Airlines will fly the world’s largest passenger plane, the Airbus A380, on its Singapore-Paris route.

The daily A380 flights between Singapore and Paris will replace the existing 10 times weekly 278-seat Boeing 777-300ER operations. Configured with 471 seats, the introduction of a daily A380 on the Paris route will allow Singapore Airlines to match the growing demand of seats from both corporate and leisure customers, and better contribute to the economic development between France and the Asia-Pacific region.

Paris is the Airline’s fourth A380 destination, its first in Continental Europe, and its second in Europe after London. Singapore Airlines already flies the A380 daily to Sydney and Tokyo, and twice a day to London.

“Charles de Gaulle Airport in Paris is one of the busiest airports in Europe in terms of passenger traffic The A380, with its large seating capacity, is well placed to fly there. With the aircraft’s substantial fuel burn reductions per seat kilometre, it also provides a cleaner, greener alternative for long haul travel,” said Huang Cheng Eng, Singapore Airlines’ Executive Vice-President, Marketing and the Regions.

Like the B777-300ER, customers on the Singapore Airlines A380 will experience the finest cabin products.

The ergonomically designed new Economy Class seat not only maximises knee and legroom, it also boasts intelligent features such as a non-intrusive reading light and height adjustable leather headrests with side panels. Due to the increased cabin width on the A380, the Business Class seats are even wider. Measuring 86 centimetres (34 inches), each seat has direct access to the aisle, and converts into a fully flat bed within seconds.

The A380 also features the revolutionary Singapore Airlines Suites, a new and luxurious class of travel. Each Suite, enclosed by sliding doors for privacy, is fitted with a leather-upholstered seat, a 23-inch LCD screen for inflight entertainment, and a full-sized flat bed that is separate from the seat.

The product was recognised as the “Best Airline Suite” in the Wallpaper* Magazine Awards 2008 as well as “Best First Class - A380” by TravelWeekly Asia Industry Awards (China) 2008. Across all three classes, KrisWorld, the world’s most comprehensive inflight entertainment system, offers more than 1,000 on-demand options in every seat.

Singapore Airlines currently has six A380s in service, a further 13 on firm order, and options on six more.

The introduction of the A380 on the Paris route will follow the delivery of the seventh and eighth A380s in the first half of 2009.

Airline Academy award ceremony

 

Airline Academy held its awards ceremony at Grand Oriental Hotel recently. Here a participant is receiving an award from the Chief Guest Sudesh Rupasinghe, District Sales Manager, Kuwait Airways. Deepal Perera, International Travel Consultant and Airline Professional Instructor who conducted the course, looks on.