Travel

Sri Lanka crowned most popular representation at BITE

Sri Lanka was named the most popular country representation from a total of 593 exhibitors from 82 countries and regions at the recently held Beijing International Tourism Expo (BITE) 2009. The exhibition attracted over 40,000 professional and 80,000 public customers. Performers from Channa-Upuli Arts Foundation brought a completely novel image of Sri Lanka to the Chinese customer by portraying the traditional wedding ceremony and dance forms of Sri Lanka.

Dance performed by Channa Upuli group

The stage backdrop on the shape of the Island of Sri Lanka as well as the Chinese models featuring traditional wedding attire attracted a large number of customers, most who were very eager to pose for photographs with the models.

The free trial of traditional bridal dresses and printing of photos on site made Sri Lanka one of the most visited and most popular country representations during BITE.

Two days prior to the opening of BITE, a Sri Lanka promotional workshop was organised at the Sheraton Hotel in Tianjin.

It was the very first time Sri Lanka Tourism authorities were present in Tianjin city for promotions. Supported by Tianjin Municipal Tourism Authority (TJMTA), around 40 representatives from 15 local agencies and 5 media organisations attended the meeting. Sri Lanka Tourism Promotion Bureau, SriLankan Airlines, and representatives from ground handling agencies i.e., Aitken Spence, Jetwing, Lanka holidays, LSR and Walkers delivered presentations on the tourism industry and relevant information of the country.

Tianjin is a port city neighbouring Beijing with significant outbound and inbound tourism potential. Yang Baotai, the division Chief from TJMTA expressed his sincere hope to cooperate with Sri Lanka Tourism to assure smooth flow of tourists to Sri Lanka in the near future.

Ambassador Amunugama made use of the enthusiasm generated through the travel expo and welcomed over hundred guests from thetourism industry and media in Beijing with a traditional Sri Lanka barbecue dinner.

The Ambassador said that the long awaited moment has arrived to promote Sri Lanka and invited Chinese travel industry personnel to use this opportunity.

The Ambassador also thanked the media for the positive contribution made even during difficult times. Ms. Madubhani Perera, Acting Director - Marketing of Sri Lanka Tourism Promotion Bureau (SLTPB) explained the new promotional campaign on image building strategy of SLTPB. Ms. Perera expressed SLTPB's commitment to work with Chinese travel agents and travel media to promote Sri Lanka.

The Country Manager of SriLankan Airlines Jayaseelan and representatives from 6 local ground handling agencies of Sri Lanka were present at the event in which they interacted with their Chinese counterparts and discussed issues related to the travel trade and prospects for future collaboration.

Ambassador Amunugama announced that 15 media will be invited to visit Sri Lanka this September, which will help Chinese tourists to know more about the new Sri Lanka.

During the Beijing International Tourism Expo (BITE) 2009, Sri Lanka Tourism Promotion Bureau, together with SriLankan Airlines and six ground handling agencies, presented to Chinese travel agencies and customers, new and specified Sri Lanka Tourism packages.

In May 2009, the Government of Sri Lanka defeated terrorism in the country, ushering in a new era of peace and harmony.

It also swept off the biggest obstacle for the development of Sri Lanka Tourism market, bringing in new prospects in the field of tourism.

As a beautiful island nation positioned in the Indian Ocean, Sri Lanka boasts diversified natural and cultural resources, as well as a people's hospitality.

In spite of the global economic crisis and H1N1 threat in the world, Sri Lanka is well prepared with value for money products for the international tourism market including China.

The six Chinese agencies cooperating with Sri Lanka ground handling agencies also joined Sri Lanka booth during BITE to promote Sri Lanka packages.

These agencies are China Peace, Supreme Harmony, Beijing BYTS, Nature Travel, Mina Travel and Zhongtang Travel.

With the support of Sri Lanka Tourism Promotion Bureau and SriLankan Airlines, these agencies are promoting specified new packages like perehera, ayurveda, wedding photography destination and honeymoon with discounted prices, which will entice the Chinese traveller in the next six months.

Hotel with 25 chalets in Thirappane

Reconstruction work in progress

The Board of Investment of Sri Lanka granted investment approval to Ulagalla Walawwa Resort (Private) Limited. BOI Board Members Eshana de Silva and Upali Samaraweera signed the agreement and formally presented the BOI Certificate Registration to Harsha De Saram and Sarath Weerasooria, Directors of Ulagalla Walawwa Resort on behalf of the BOI. The agreement signed with Ulagalla Walawwa Resort is a project to set up a tourist hotel with 25 chalets at Thirappane, Anuradhapura.

The hotel is targeting high end exclusive tourist and will provide the opportunity to discover the pleasure of exquisite surroundings.

The hotel is located at Thirappane, Anuradhapura, which is in the surroundings of the cultural triangle and is in the route to the newly opened coastal area in the East. The focal building is a 100 year old 'walawwa' and the 25 chalets will be located overlooking the lake.

The hotel and the chalets will be constructed in a 52 acre land.

The walawwa will house the restaurant and the lobby and will have a main pool. The 25 chalets will be 800 sq feet in area and will also include an individual plunge pool.

The tourist resort and the chalets will be built with and initial investment of US $ 5 million.

The investment for the resort is sponsored by International Construction Consortium (Pvt) Limited and Finco and will commence operations in August 2010.

Harsha de Saram and Sarath Weerasooria, Directors of Ulagalla Walawwa Resort signed the agreement on behalf of the investor.

New Corporate Communications head for Emirates

Emirates, the Dubai-based international airline and travel services group, has appointed Boutros Boutros as its new Divisional Senior Vice President, Corporate Communications.

Coinciding with the start of the company's new financial year on April 1 Boutros, previously Emirates' Senior VP - Media Relations, Sponsorships and Events, officially takes over from Mike Simon.

Mike has retired after nearly two decades of service, during which he has achieved emphatic global recognition for the Emirates brand.

In his new role as head of Corporate Communications. Boutros will oversee all marketing and communications activities across the globe for the 40-plus businesses under the Emirates group umbrella, a remit which includes - advertising sponsorships, events and merchandising, media relations and internal awareness, internet communications and passenger communications and visual services.