Travel / Lifestyle

Lanka, the focal country for World Tourism Day

by Lalin Fernandopulle

Sri Lanka has been selected as the focal country for this year's World Tourism Day which will be celebrated under the theme 'Opening Doors for Women' with a series of activities in the provinces on September 27 highlighting the creative work and contribution of women.

A photo exhibition on 'New faces of the millennium' will be organised by the United Nations Development Program with the support of the Sri Lanka Tourist Board. Chairman SLTB, Renton de Alwis said the event will be a great opportunity to promote peace and harmony among ethnic groups and showcase the rich heritage and diversity of Lanka's tourism.

He said today tourism is a lifestyle activity and a business where we need to understand the desires and dreams of the tourists and fulfil their aspirations.

The three S concept of sun, sea and sand in Sri Lanka's tourism should include style which will have a major impact on developing the industry, he said.

Identifying the trends such as those seeking inner peace through meditation and other family based values, care services for the aging population which will bring revenue and investment, the spirit of travel where tourists prefer to interact with communities and explore new avenues, the dreams of the affluent youth and the use of information technology are vital in today's tourism.

Alwis said the industry should focus on segment marketing from it rather than geographic marketing as the industry cannot gain much. Offering innovative products to suit the needs of youth, those to be married, the aged and tourists seeking ayurvedic medication is a growing requirement.

The tourism board will promote peace through tourism with various cultural programs in the North and Eastern provinces.Promoting indigenous cuisine, ayurvedic treatment and operating circuit bungalows are priorities, the Chairman said.

To be positive despite the many challenges to the industry and positioning with traditional Lankan values and the cheerful smile of the people is what is required in taking the industry forward.

Lanka's tourism industry, the fourth foreign exchange earner is a US $ 500 billion industry where over 36,000 people are directly employed.

The industry which recorded 500,000 tourist arrivals last year is going through a challenging time with attacks on the airport and travel advisories resulting in a 40 percent drop in arrivals last month.

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Singapore Airlines signs for 20 Airbus A350-900 XWBs

Singapore Airlines signed a contract with Airbus for twenty A350-900 XWB aircraft, with options to purchase twenty additional units, affirming the Letter of Intent signed in July last year.

The A350 XWB is of entirely new design and is Airbus' next generation of twin-engine aircraft for medium to long haul flights. Deliveries for the twenty aircraft are scheduled to begin in 2013 and run through to 2015. At list prices, the value of the twenty aircraft on firm order is US$3.7 billion, inclusive of engines and spares.

The purchase of the A350-900 XWB exemplifies Singapore Airlines' leverage on technological progress to improve operational efficiency and environmental performance. The order will cater to future growth, as well as maintain Singapore Airlines' policy of operating a young and modern fleet.

The A350-900 XWB has a range of 8,100 nautical miles (approx 15,000 kilometres). The range allows this aircraft to operate on routes to continental Europe, Australia, the Middle East and Asia.

In the manufacturer's three-class configuration, the A350-900 XWB can seat up to 314 passengers, but Singapore Airlines will decide on its configuration at a later date. The aircraft can also carry over 20 tonnes of cargo. Product information on the Airbus A350-900 XWB is attached.