Business travel

Cinnamon Island Alidhoo wins pata award for education and training

Cinnamon Island Alidhoo, Maldives has been named Grand Award winner in the 'Education and Training' category of the Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA) 2008 PATA Gold Awards program, a statement released from Thailand said.

Epitomising the theme, 'We shared and we cared', the Cinnamon Island Alidhoo award-winning project is a new School of Hospitality at its premises.

The initiative began as an energetic local recruitment drive and gradually snowballed into an unprecedented opportunity for the women and young people of Barah and Utheem Islands in the Maldives to transform themselves into well-trained hoteliers.

Starting this year, the resort's parent company, Keells Hotel Management Services Ltd., invested to operate a hotel school in which the curriculum is focused on providing the youth of the islands neighbouring Cinnamon Island Alidhoo with skills that would equip them to enter the industry.

A PATA judge said, "A win-win training program initiated by the hotel to improve the local community's livelihood while meeting its own manpower needs, an example of combining corporate social responsibility with manpower planning."

In an economy which has the hospitality industry as its axis, the School of Hospitality is indeed a boon to the population, endowing the interested with the proficiency and expertise to break into the industry and contribute to society.

It represents an exciting phase in the lives of these individuals: training womenfolk, enhancing their confidence and developing excellent employees who would be solid team members in a dynamic workplace.

We are delighted to receive the PATA award, said Sector Head - Resort Hotels, Jayantissa Kehelpannala "To us, it is a validation of what we are doing as a team - not just that we are doing the right thing, but also that we are going about the right way in implementing it.

The School of Hospitality is the offspring of our foray into truly sustainable development, which lives by a win-win ethic.

This is an initiative that benefits the people as much as the industry and I am glad we have been instrumental in making a difference."

He said, "What is both satisfying and humbling is that we have been chosen as a Grand Winner from the 258 entries from 108 travel and tourism organisations. This is also a reflection of the strength and spirit of the brand.

Emirates gets first Airbus A 380

Emirates has taken delivery of its first Airbus A380 'superjumbo' at the planemaker's new J rgen Thomas A380 Delivery Centre.

The aircraft was received by Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al-Maktoum, Chairman and Chief Executive, Emirates Airline and Group, at a ceremony attended by President of Emirates Airline Tim Clark, Airbus CEO Tom Enders; former Engine Alliance President, Bruce Hughes; J rgen Thomas, the "founding father" of the A380; the 2,000 Hamburg Airbus staff directly involved in the production of the A380, 58 Emirates cabin crew, representing the number of A380s the Dubai based carrier has on firm order, international media, VIPs and other guests.

Sheikh Ahmed said that while Emirates may not have been the first airline to receive the new generation aircraft, it was the first to place a firm order for it eight years ago.

In July 2000 Emirates became the first airline to sign a firm commitment and place a deposit for the world's biggest commercial aircraft, initially for seven aircraft, with five further options, collectively worth US$1.5 billion.

By November 2007, the award-winning carrier had placed firm orders for 58 A380s.

We have stood firm on our commitment to the A380, he said. "Our investment in the aircraft, including engines and inflight features, exceeds $32 billion, with $12 billion spent in Germany alone.

Harpos Pizza to venture into Maldives

Harpo Gooneratne unveiled plans to take his popular Sri Lankan home-grown brand 'Harpos Pizza' to the neighbouring Maldive Islands, as part of a plan to expand into the SAARC region.

Harpos Pizza' is already one year old in the Sri Lankan market and enjoys a fast growing clientele, comprising Sri Lankans and expatriates.

Gooneratne said that he was proud to market a Sri Lankan brand beyond the shores of this country.

The trial runs in fact proved very successful with an excellent feedback all round. Potential in the Maldives market is great.

Since ours will be the only 'crispy base' authentic Italian pizza on the island, we are confident of a very high demand and thus good sales in the local market".

He said that his target market would be resident Maldivians and expatriate hotel guests in Male.

The operation will be initially run by three trained and skilled Sri Lankans with high speed delivery bikes taking 'Harpos Pizza', piping hot to customers around the Male Island.

Depending on the success of this operation in the capital Male, we plan to expand delivery to the adjoining resort islands and will then use the traditional dhonis and bikes for quick delivery, he said.

The range of Hapos Pizza to be marketed will be from the standard variants and Sri Lankan flavours together with a special Tuna-based pizza for the Maldivian palates, developed according to local tastes and flavours.

All pizzas will be strictly Halal and free of pork-based products.

Middle East magic at Hilton Colombo

Discover the traditions and culture of Middle Eastern food - a cuisine rich in tradition and history at the Hilton Colombo from August 15-20.

The Lotus garden overlooking the Lotus Pond will be transformed into a paradise with Middle Eastern delights laid out for you to enjoy. An Arabian marquee will be erected with food action stations, Arabic music, Shisha pipes and much more.

A special Arabic Coffee maker will produce delectable coffee to go along with the flavoursome Middle Eastern dishes prepared by the visiting guest chef flown in by Royal Jordanian Airlines.

THASL - office bearers

Tourist Hotels Association of Sri Lanka (THASL):

President - Srilal Miththapala, Serendib Hotel; Vice President - Representing City Hotels - M. Shanthikumar, Holiday Inn Hotel; Vice President Representing Resort Hotels - Anura Lokuhetty, Suisse Hotel; Vice President Representing General Interest - Ms. Amal Goonetilleke, Taj Samudra; Vice President Representing Small Hotels - Siri Goonewardena, Coral Sands Hotel; Immediate Past President - Hiran Cooray, Jetwing Hotels.

Committee: Amaya Lake, Bentota Beach Hotel, Blue Oceanic Beach Hotel, Club Palm Bay, Eden Hotel, Kandalama Hotel, Royal Palms Beach Hotel, Renuka Hotel, Saman Villas, Siddhalepa Ayurveda Resort.