Travel

Sri Lanka Tourism on a major destination drive in India

Sri Lankan road shows in Bangalore, Ahmadabad and Delhi Sri Lanka has been experiencing an influx of Indian tourists, post conflict this year. Last month alone saw a 51 per cent increase in Indian tourists to the island when compared to the same period last year.

Sri Lanka Tourism announced its plans to accelerate marketing Sri Lanka as an ideal destination to the Indian tourists. As part of the integrated communication campaign, and to bring key tourist groups to the country Sri Lanka Tourism concluded a three city B2B road show which included Bangalore, Ahmadabad and Delhi recently.

These B2B sessions paved the way for Sri Lankan Travel and Tourism Companies to interact with more than 350 Indian travel agents on a one to one basis. The officials from Sri Lanka Tourism Promotion Bureau (SLTPB) also conducted presentations and sales visits on Sri Lanka to the leading Indian Tour Operators. These initiatives by SLTPB were well received by these tour operators who showed interest on joint promotions with Sri Lanka Tourism, said a spokesman of SLT.

As a unique finale to the road shows, a fashion show was held in Delhi on September 15. The Chief Guest for the fashion show was High Commissioner to India C. R. Jayasinghe. The theme of the fashion show Expressions through design focused on showcasing Sri Lanka’s relatively young industry of fashion, which is now seeing the revival of batik as Sri Lanka’s craft to major Indian corporates. The fashion show was choreographed by Prasad Bidapa, a well known fashion personality in India whose work encompasses many aspects of fashion.

Darshi Keerthisena of the Buddhi Batik fame started the show with a beautiful batik collection of Kandyan and Indian saris as well as western wear which dazzled the Indian audience. The other local designs that showcased included string hoppers, Arugam Bay, and young designer Sarani’s “Once upon a time collection.

India is on the threshold of a never-like-before opportunity to do business with Sri Lanka. Managing Director, Sri Lanka Tourism Promotion Bureau Dileep Mudadeniya, said I see India as our biggest source market, as our product offering is very close to what the Indians want. And our biggest competitive advantages are proximity, visa on arrival and value for money.

Greater accessibility from India is one of the reasons that has turned Sri Lanka into an excellent travel destination in South Asia.

Sri Lanka plans to target three main categories of individuals from India the youth and young families, up-market travellers and those seeking spiritual upliftment.

Sri Lanka Tourism Promotion Bureau (SLTPB) is currently working closely with various domestic operators as well as several Indian travel agents and tour operators, to come up with specific products for the Indian market, said the spokesman. SriLankan Airlines Manager, Northern India, West Bengal, Bangladesh and Nepal Lalith de Silva said “Thousands of tourists and pilgrims from India are already visiting Sri Lanka to experience for themselves the epic saga and historic sites described in the Ramayana and SriLankan Airlines has made it a simple journey with daily departures between Delhi and Colombo and also from Mumbai, Chennai, Trivandrum, Trichy and Bangalore. We have all-inclusive tours from SriLankan Holidays tailor made for the Indian traveller to tread the paths of Ramayanaya to relive the history and Indian travellers will find themselves at home on board SriLankan flights, with a wide selection of North Indian, South Indian and vegetarian dishes catering specially for the Indian market.

Victoria Golf gets Araliya Restaurant

by S. M. Jiffrey ABDEEN Kandy South Group Corr.

Front view of the Araliya Restaurant at Victoria Golf and Country Resort

Victoria Golf and Country Resort which has been voted twice as the ‘Best Golf Course in the Sub-Continent’ has added another facility to its existing ones when it opened the latest state of the art `Araliya Restaurant’ adjacent to the Victoria Club House recently.

Neatly laid tables at the Victoria Araliya Restaurant

The Minister of Livestock Development and MP for Nuwara Eliya District C. B. Ratnayake who was the chief guest at the opening ceremony speaking at the occasion said “This is a paradise for golfers and the Araliya Restaurant just opened should be a big attraction for golfers and the tourists.

He said that with the facilities available and what the course has got to offer after the country returning to normalcy. Foreign tourists would flock in their numbers not only to play in this golf course but also to enjoy the beauty it has offered.

The Chairman of the Rajawella Holdings Limited - the owners of the Victoria Golf and Country Resort Chris Holloway said that the opening of the new restaurant fulfils one of the long-felt needs.

Victoria Golf and Country Resort which started as Victoria Golf Club has been ranked among the 100 most beautiful golf courses in the world.

This golf course has been designed by the world famous golf architect Donald Steel and Company from the United Kingdom, and the task of turfing was entrusted to Tony Witham from Australia, to undertake this work.

Amaravathi back in operation with new management

Popular Indian Restaurant Amaravathi is back in operation with a new facelift offering its customers the best of Indian cuisine.

Amaravathi an Indian franchise based itself in Sri Lanka in 1994, being the first branch to be established overseas after being recently bought over by the new management, Amaravathi has changed its image entirely.

The two new directors of Amaravathi Sri Lanka are Ravichandran Regi Fernando and Elizabeth Fernando. According to Director Ravichandran this is the first time that Amaravathi has undergone a revamping process since its inception. The interiors of the restaurant as well as the kitchen have been changed entirely. The new interiors are wooden and simple.

The decorations, including the carvings as well as the lovely Mughal paintings are from India. The man behind the new concept is Ravichandran. My goal was to create a 100% Indian ambience, added Ravichandran Amaravathi is a A1 class restaurant.

The entire restaurant is able to hold up to nearly 100 guests. Amaravathi specializes and offers its guests a complete experience of Indian cuisine ranging from Andhra, South Indian, North Indian as well as Kerala.

They are also the only restaurant that offers all these types of cuisine under one roof.

Ravichandran remarked that his main goal through Amaravathi is to provide the chance to enjoy a homely meal for the Indian community in Sri Lanka as well as the expats and tourists from India and to provide an original experience in Indian cuisine to the locals.

According to Ravichandran since Amaravathi was initially based in Andhra Pradesh, they specialize only in Andhra cuisine.

However, for the first time, Amaravathi Sri Lanka will be offering all types of Indian cuisine.

The Heritance Hotel, Kandalama won the second place in the Central Province and the third place at National level in the large-scale services category of the national productivity competition for 2008.

In addition to these awards the eleven Divisional Secretariats in the Matale district were also able to secure national awards at the National Productivity Awards Ceremony. In appreciation eight of these award winning organisations, the T. B. Thennakoon Foundation organised a special awards presentation ceremony at the Heritance Hotel, Kandalama.

Janaka Bandara Thennakoon, Minister of Local Government and Provincial Councils, Chairman of the T. B. Thennakoon Foundation presents the special award to H. B. R. Sarifodeen, Assistant Vice Chairman of the Heritance Hotel, Kandalama. Mrs. Lasitha Thennakoon is also in the picture.