Travel
Lanka poised to be a green destination for tourists
The safety of the planet cannot be compromised at any cost. The
tourism industry, one of the largest consumers of energy launched a
programe to green all hotels that would help sustain business and market
to the global arena.The Switch Asia Greening Sri Lanka Hotels Project
funded by the European Union was launched by the Ceylon Chamber of
Commerce (CCC) at a ceremony held in Colombo on Tuesday.
The project will be carried out by CCC Solutions (Pvt) Ltd. the
implementing arm of CCC with a grant of Euros 2 million from the EU.
The project targeting the SME hotel sector is implemented with the
objective of reducing the cost of operations, helping suppliers to adopt
best practices, promoting responsible tourism and increasing market
acceptance.
EU Ambassador Bernard Savage said climate change is a major challenge
that should be addressed urgently if the world is to avoid jeopardising
the safety of the planet.
He said, motivating change at policy level, production processes and
consumption patterns is crucial to achieve sustainable development.
President, Tourists Hotels Association of Sri Lanka, Srilal
Miththapala said that the project targets 350 hotels across the country
encouraging an efficient use of all sources of energy to position Sri
Lanka as the green destination for tourism."There is a conception that
the hotel sector is a guzzler of energy which is not true. Many hotels
have adopted environment friendly methods converting traditional
production systems", he said. Miththapala said tourists arrivals this
year has increased and the industry is well poised for a quick
revival.The tourism industry anticipates a good winter with a series of
events lined up for the season.The air travel restrictions lasting over
two weeks caused huge losses to the global travel and tourism industry.
Though no exact estimates have been made the crisis caused substantial
losses to Sri Lankan tourism.
The Chairman, CCC, Dr. Anura Ekanayake said if France could attract
around 80 million tourists a year there is no reason why Sri Lanka
cannot entice at least one million visitors initially.
The Responsible Tourism Partnership, the Sri Lanka Sustainable Energy
Authority and the Institute of Environmental Professionals of Sri Lanka
will partner the programe. (LF)
Demand for air transport improves in March
The International Air Transport Association (IATA) said that March
2010 international scheduled air traffic showed continued strengthening
of demand. Compared to March 2009, passenger demand was up 10.3%, while
cargo demand grew 28.1%. Both are improvements from the 9.0% and 26.3%
growth for passenger and freight demand recorded in February.
These are strong gains, but the data is being compared to March 2009,
which was the low point for international air travel during the
recession. March results show that the pace of the upturn is strong. But
the trauma of the recession is not over. The industry has lost two years
of growth, and passenger and freight markets are still 1% below early
2008 highs. Nonetheless, the pace of improvement, based on an improving
global economic situation, is much faster than anybody would have
expected even six months ago, said Giovanni Bisignani, IATA's Director
General and CEO.
IATA noted that the International Monetary Fund revised global GDP
growth forecasts from 3.0% to 4.3% for 2010.
With a 78.0% load factor recorded in March, passenger load factors
remain at record highs. While demand expanded by 10.3% in March,
capacity increases stood at 2.0%, boosting the load factor and creating
much tighter supply and demand conditions. Global capacity remains 3-4%
below pre-crisis levels.
International freight markets are also experiencing tighter supply
and demand conditions. The 28.1% improvement in demand outpaced the 5.3%
capacity expansion in March. This drove freight load factors to 57.1%,
the highest since November 2002 when international freight load factors
stood at 58.8%.
International Passenger Demand Regional demand patterns continue to
reflect the asymmetrical nature of the economic rebound.
* Asia-Pacific carriers posted strong demand growth of 12.6%, against
a capacity expansion of 1.3%. The strength of the rebound in the
region's economies is supporting Asia-Pacific's demand improvement.
China's economy grew by 11.9% in the first quarter while India's economy
is growing by 7.0%. There is also greater optimism for a return to
economic growth in Japan.
* European carriers posted traffic growth of 6.0%, considerably
weaker than the global improvements, but better than the 4.0% growth in
February. This is the result of sluggish home economies and continuing
high unemployment rates. European carriers reduced capacity by 0.8%
compared to the previous year.
* North American carriers posted a traffic growth of 7.8%, lagging
the global average, although considerably improved from the 4.4%
recorded in February. Uncertainty over government budget cuts and tax
increases is dampening demand for air travel, compared to other regions,
particularly Asia-Pacific. North American carriers posted the highest
load factor among the regions (81.6%) as a result of continuing careful
capacity management. * Middle Eastern carriers recorded the strongest
traffic growth at 25.9%. While economic growth of 5% in the region is
supporting some of this increase, a large part is attributed to market
share gains on long-haul markets, connecting passengers over Middle
Eastern hubs.
Load factors of 76.2% were slightly below the global average.
African carriers are now starting to see improving growth, having
suffered market share declines for several years. During March, demand
was up 13.6% and load factors grew to 67.4% for the month.
KumbukRiver wins yet another nomination award
Sri Lanka's highest awarded resort KumbukRiver Eco Extraordinaire has
received yet another World Travel Awards nomination this year in the
category of World's Best Eco-Lodge.
This is the 4th consecutive nomination for KumbukRiver at the travel
Oscars. The trailblazing eco resort won the World's Best Eco-Lodge award
in 2008, putting Sri Lanka on the world map of tourism.
Located in Okkampitiya, Buttala, on the banks of the lively Kumbukkan
Oya, KumbukRiver is a one-of-a-kind eco hideaway nestled in 16 acres of
lush greenery.
As a single-party resort, the gorgeous resort with all its
down-to-earth rural charm is entirely private, and its centrepiece is
the world-famous Elephant Villa, a 40ft high, 2-story villa in the shape
of an elephant which adds a touch of class to eco holidaying.
The eco resort also features two other chalets and all in all
presents several well-appointed bathrooms and lounges among other
features which create an unforgettable holiday for the whole family. The
KumbukRiver concept has meticulously been conceived keeping with the
ethos of responsible tourism.
The resort uses no electricity at present, and refuses to do so just
to add to its theme providing an incredibly unique experience. The
atmosphere that emerges nightly in the warm light of flickering oil
lamps is an experience not to be missed for the sake of modern
amenities, and probably recaptures life during the days of Sri Lankan
kings. "Once you enter the resort property you are in a world of your
own.
Lankan export produce on Emirates' inaugural flight to Amsterdam
Sri Lankan plants and fresh fish formed a substantial part of the
cargo when Emirates' inaugural passenger flight to Amsterdam arrived in
the Dutch capital on May 1.
Live plants in the form of rooted cuttings accounts for a significant
component of Emirates SkyCargo's revenue out of Colombo, and as much as
80 per cent of the tonnage transported goes to Amsterdam.
The introduction of passenger flights between Dubai and Amsterdam
will provide greater capacity to Sri Lankan exporters on a route
previously serviced by Emirates with freighter aircraft.
'The launch of daily services to Amsterdam with afternoon arrivals
will be welcomed by our customers,' said Damian Jayasuriya, Emirates
Cargo Manager for Sri Lanka and Maldives. 'Live Plants and Edible Fish
from Sri Lanka have been part of our regular cargo to the Netherlands
for many years, and the extra capacity and frequency will benefit
producers and the economies of the Western and Wayamba Provinces and
parts of the Central Province.' Emirates SkyCargo has been serving
Amsterdam with freighters for 15 years and ships around 1,000 tonnes of
flowers, principally from Kenya and Ethiopia, to the city each month.
Monthly cargo capacity into the Dutch capital increases by more than 400
tonnes with the launch of daily passenger services. |