Business Travel

EU tourist arrivals increased despite travel advisories

Despite the travel advisories from the United Kingdom, France and Germany the number of tourist arrivals increased during the past two years from Europe, Chairman, Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority, Renton De Alwis said.

He was addressing the inauguration of the ‘Hotel Show 2008’ organised by the Ceylon Hotel School Graduates’ Association (CHSGA) and the Lanka Exhibition and Conference Services (Pvt) Ltd.

“Europe accounts for over 70 per cent of the country’s tourists and the region has made a significant contribution to the industry since tour operations began in the 1960s. The tourism industry looks forward to the assistance of the European Union (EU) to develop the hotel school industry”, he said.

Despite the adverse challenges, the tourism industry has taken vital initiatives such as organising the Hotel Show and many other events to promote tourism. The industry will bounce back when the country gets over its problems.

He said political parties should shed their differences and work towards finding a solution to the conflict in the country. Pursuing a political agenda will not help to solve the problems.

The solution to the main problems affecting the country’s growth lies in creating an environment where all could work together.

Today the hotel industry is segmented and there needs to be new strategies to cater to the discerning traveller. Environment and community based tourism in selected locations should be promoted to attract tourists to popular destinations.

“Climate change and tourism are integral aspects which are being given priority in all international fora. The Earth Lung initiative of Sri Lanka tourism is widely accepted as a model to minimise the adverse impact of tourism on the environment”, the Chairman said.

Today many hotels are using alternative energy sources to reduce environmental pollution.

Ambassador for the EU, Julian Wilson said Sri Lanka has always been resilient despite many challenges. Though the tourism industry is one of the worst affected industries due to the conflict it will be the industry that will first bounce back.

There has been longstanding relations between the EU and Sri Lanka and due to the association the Union will continue to assist the country in its development activities”, Wilson said.

The ambassador said the hotel industry delivers quality service at a competitive price.

The country has gone beyond traditional markets to develop new ones.

President, CHSGA, Sarath Fernando said the Show will be an opportunity to showcase the capabilities of local and foreign suppliers and create a positive image about the country.

The Hotel Show, a biennial event to bring local and international hospitality suppliers to showcase their products to the Sri Lankan and Maldivian industries was held from July 11-13 at the BMICH. LF

Emirates flies to Brazil daily

Emirates has introduced a seventh frequency to its Brazil service, making its non-stop Dubai-Sao Paulo operation daily, effective July 1.

The popular route has been successful in facilitating travel to Sao Paulo, Brazil’s largest city and a major centre of finance and industry for South America.

The route has also established a popular gateway to onward South American destinations from Dubai and popular transit markets including the regional Middle East and Japan.

Emirates Senior Vice President Commercial Operations, The Americas, Nigel Page said, “We are very pleased with the success of our Dubai-Sao Paulo service.

The introduction of a daily frequency to Brazil was a logical step for us. We are also delighted to see that awareness of Emirates and Dubai in Brazil seems to have bolstered since our introduction of services a year ago, making the Emirate a popular new destination for Brazilian tourists and business travellers alike”.

In October 2007, Emirates’ Dubai-Sao Paulo operation became the first-ever non-stop service between South America and the Middle East.

On the route, Emirates flies its state-of-the-art Boeing 777-200LR.

The aircraft offers eight luxurious private suites in First class 42 lie-flat seats in Business class, and generous space for 216 passengers in Economy. The 777-200LR additionally carries up to 18 tonnes of cargo capacity.

Taxes don’t reduce emissions - IATA

The International Air Transport Association (IATA) called on governments to abandon punitive environment taxes and instead support global environment solutions that will actually reduce aviation’s 2% of global carbon emissions.

“Taxes don’t reduce emissions. Only better operations and technology can do that,” IATA’s Director General and CEO, Giovanni Bisignani told the Farnborough International 2008 Sustainable Aviation Briefing.

The airline industry is in crisis. With a fuel bill of US$190 billion - one-third of its costs - saving fuel is a matter of survival. Still Europe is fixated on punitive measures supposedly designed to reduce emissions.

There is a rush to implement taxes, taxes and more taxes. They all have an environment label, but do nothing to reduce emissions,” said Bisignani. He took aim at two punitive measures in particular:

UK Air Passenger Duty (APD): “By 2010 APD could be a GBP3.5 billion pot of honey for the UK Treasury. That’s enough to offset four years of the UK’s civil aviation emissions.

The UK proposal will lead to market distortions. Governments-including the UK-are double counting.

On top of APD, other countries such as the Netherlands also apply taxes. If this weren’t enough, the European Union emissions trading proposal will add another layer of penalties. What will all this do for the environment? Precious little.

It’s time for some political honesty about where the billions are going and what they will achieve,” said Bisignani.

Continental Airlines - the ‘Best Airline in North America’

The world’s fifth largest airline, Continental Airlines, was named the “Best Airline in North America” at the 2008 OAG Airline of the Year Awards which is considered the ‘Oscar’ of the airline industry.

This is the fifth straight year that Continental has received the award. In addition, Continental was awarded the ‘Best Airline Finance Deal,’ a new award category, recognising the success of the airline’s April 2007 financing transaction, which raised $1.1 billion for the purchase of 30 new 737NG aircraft delivered in 2008.

Director of Browns Tours Ltd., Rajitha Senevirathne said, “With only one transit point, Continental Airlines in Colombo offer attractive fares to mainland USA via Mumbai and New Delhi.

Continental is the only airline that operates daily non stop flights between Mumbai and New Delhi to its hub at Newark. Browns Tours are the General Sales Agents for Continental Airlines in Sri Lanka.”

Continental, together with Continental Express and Continental Connection, has more than 3,100 daily departures throughout the Americas, Europe and Asia, serving 145 domestic and 138 international destinations. More than 550 additional points are served via ‘SkyTeam’ alliance airlines.

With more than 45,000 employees, Continental has hubs serving Newark, Houston, Cleveland and Guam, and together with Continental Express, carries approximately 69 million passengers per year. Continental consistently earns awards and critical acclaim for its operation and its corporate culture.

For the fifth consecutive year, the Fortune magazine named Continental the No. 1 World’s Most Admired Airline on its 2008 list of World’s Most Admired Companies.

As a pioneer tour operator, Browns Tours Ltd., established in 1966, is the General Sales Agents for Continental Airlines, Austrian Airlines as well as Royal Scandinavian Airlines.