Business Travel

Country's situation helped increase tourist arrivals

by Lalin FERNANDOPULLE

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President, Tourist Hotels Association of Sri Lanka, Srilal Miththapala said that apart from the bomb explosion in Pettah last week the situation in the country which has been relatively peaceful has helped to increase the number of tourist arrivals.

"Tourist arrivals in August were high compared to the previous months due to the Kandy perehera.

The tourism industry can be optimistic and hope for a good winter in November with a growth in the number of tourist arrivals", Miththapala said.

Condor, the German airline which stopped operations for summer due to the drop in the number of tourists visiting Sri Lanka has agreed to resume flights following a discussion with the airline officials and the Sri Lanka Tourism Promotion Bureau (SLTPB).

The travel advisory issued by the German government restricts tourists visiting Anuradhapura, Yala and the Jaffna peninsula.

Condor and LTU, the German leisure tourist charter operators have been flying to Sri Lanka for over 20 years. The drop in the number of German tourist arrivals has a negative impact on the tourism industry", he said.

The Sri Lanka Tourism Promotion Bureau has introduced several incentives to resume operations of German flights.

The number of tourists arrivals from major markets during January to July this year dropped by 4.3 per cent. The number of arrivals from Russia, Middle East and France increased.

The SLTPB has planned to hold a 45-kilometre marathon from Colombo to Negombo next month to promote tourism.

The Bureau has also organised several events to promote family entertainment. The SLTPB has finalised the tourism strategic plan for next year to develop the industry through a private public partnership.

The strategic plan focuses on improving standards in all sectors of the leisure industry. The stakeholders of the tourism industry have planned to meet government officials prior to the preparation of the 2009 Budget to state the potential of the tourism industry which sustains the livelihood of a large segment of the population through the informal sector of the industry. Miththapala said recent events such as the Hikkaduwa Beach Fest, release of elephants and the gathering of herds in Minneriya has helped to attract tourists to some of the unique destinations in the country.

SriLankan Holidays package to Olympic China

Hot on the heels of the 2008 Summer Olympic Games, officially known as the Games of the XXIX Olympiad, in China, SriLankan Holidays has re-launched its exciting and all-inclusive package to Beijing leisurely spread over five nights and six days.

The SriLankan Holidays 'Beijing Cultural Package' offers family holiday makers the unique opportunity to soak up first hand the glories of major attractions such as the Olympic sites where history was made and re-made.

Among the attractions of the Olympic Games showcased in China are the now legendary "Bird's Nest" Olympic Stadium, the Olympic National Park, the China National Convention Centre, the famous Olympic Village and the Olympic Media Village for the Games.

Valid from September 10 to November 30, the package tour from Colombo includes a direct flight economy class return air ticket to Beijing (with all applicable taxes) and accommodation at a star class hotel.

Hemtours re-branded as Diethelm Travel Sri Lanka

Hemtours, one of Sri Lanka's largest Destination Management Companies and part of the Hemas Group, operates as Diethelm Travel Sri Lanka Ltd. from September 1.

This new partnership was announced at the ITB in Berlin in March this year following an MoU signed between the two companies to re-brand and re-launch Hemtours as "Diethelm Travel Sri Lanka" (DTSL) with a specific focus on the in-bound tourism markets.

DTSL will continue to be operated by the same experienced Hemtours management and staff with renewed vigour and dedication to offer a newer and wider range of products and services to a larger network of clients.

Group Director, Hemas Holdings PLC, Abbas Esufally said, "We recently sought to strengthen our Sri Lankan business by finding a partner with a truly global distribution reach.

From day one of entering into dialogue with DTG, it was clear we had found a like-minded, service-oriented, company with strong ethics and financial resources. We will be expanding our footprint to the Maldives in the near future".

Chief Executive Officer of Diethelm Travel Group, John Watson said, "Our international clientele has been requesting for a 'Diethelm Travel' presence in Sri Lanka and the Maldives for quite some time. We are happy to have found an excellent partner in Hemtours, one of Sri Lanka's time tested, well regarded and quality tour operators".

Managing Director, DTSL Harith Perera said, "I have no doubt that the fusion of synergies between the Diethelm Group and Hemtours will result in an excellent product which will not only be a win-win situation for us both, but also, a boon to the entire Sri Lankan tourist industry and the region".

Satay at Cinnamon Grand

Satays are part of Cinnamon Grand's indulgence promise this month with the Breeze Bar offering a selection for lunch and dinner from September 11-21.

Satays generally consist of chunks or slices of dice-sized meat on bamboo or coconut-leaf-spine skewers, grilled over a wood or charcoal fire. Turmeric is a compulsory ingredient used to marinate satays and to give it a characteristic yellow colour.

"Originating in Indonesia, Satay quickly became popular in many South East Asian countries and Cinnamon Grand is proud to spotlight this Indonesian delicacy," said Executive Chef Morugama.