Travel

Sri Lanka No. 1 travel destination for 2010

Daily Candy Website proclaims 'Best place we've ever been'

The New York Times has named Sri Lanka as the No. One travel destination worldwide in a ranking of '31 Places To Go in 2010.' At the same time, Daily Candy, a luxury-living website, has devoted its entire travel issue to Sri Lanka, informing the readers that you'll be roaming the south for adventure (elephant safaris), history (colonial fort towns, old Buddhist temples), rain forests (and mountains and tea plantations), and beautiful beaches. It's pretty much the best place we've ever been.

Both articles note that security is no longer a concern since the recent successful conclusion of the conflict with the LTTE terrorists last year.

Tourism in Sri Lanka leaped forward in the last seven months, increasing at double digit rates each month since June 2009. Sri Lankan tourism officials plan to add 25,000 3-to-5 star hotel rooms to the island nation of 20 million people by 2016, many of them luxurious beach and mountainside accommodations like the ones the two articles rave about.

Sri Lanka expects more than 500,000 visitors in 2010, but more than two million annually six years from now. But while the number of tourists are increasing, the total number of visitors have yet to catch up with other Asian destinations. That makes Sri Lanka an affordable, relatively undiscovered gem, giving travellers a world unto themselves.

"People are discovering how wonderful Sri Lanka truly is," said Jaliya Wickramasuriya, Sri Lanka's ambassador to the U.S. We have many people to thank for making this country a peaceful, pleasant and prosperous place to live in. The leaders who successfully ended a long-war against terrorists now welcome tourists and foreign friends with open arms. Sri Lankans living abroad spread the goodwill and charm of the native land. As these articles proclaim, 'Sri Lanka is a beautiful place that is getting better.'

The Times reports that, 'The island, with a population of just 20 million, feels like one big tropical zoo: elephants roam freely, water buffaloes idle in paddy fields and monkeys swing from trees.

And then there's the pristine coastline. The miles of sugary white sand flanked by bamboo groves that were off-limits to most visitors until recently are a happy, if unintended byproduct of the war.'

Daily Candy observes: 'Sri Lanka is incredibly chic, very India meets Vietnam.

The Times reports that visitors can find pristine beaches -and still a few road checkpoints - in Northern Sri Lanka, where the fighting occurred. While a few military checkpoints remain, it reports, travellers can lounge on poolside hammocks under palm trees or snorkel in its crystal-clear waters.

Or they can order cocktails at the Nilaveli Beach Hotel a collection of recently renovated bungalows with private terraces.

Daily Candy takes readers on a cross-country tour of Sri Lanka, suggesting stops at Kandy, highland tea gardens and beaches, such as those in Tangalle and Galle. The swank Amanwella compound, consists of bungalows scattered across a coconut grove outside Tangalle. But the prices are more affordable than Aman's usual rates (a rare civil war perk).

Force yourself away from the blissful beach to visit Udawalawe National Park. You'll see monkeys and peacocks, but elephants are the main event.

Miltons Beach Resort invests Rs. 20m on refurbishment

by Beverley Jansz

Miltons Beach Resort, Unawatuna which was damaged by the tsunami is being refurbished at a cost of over Rs. 20 million. Once completed, the resort will stand as one of Sri Lanka's number one beach resorts and also be named as one of world's best beaches in Unawatuna.

Chairman/Managing Director, Miltons Beach Resort, Milton De Silva Galapatthy began his career as a humble fisherman and climbed the ladder of success through hard work.

The unique feature at Miltons Beach Resort is that it is the only resort at Unawatuna adjacent to the beach.

The beach stands as a natural pool at the resort. The refurbishment includes two new banquet halls, Carnation and Marine, both of which are sea-view.

Milton De Silva Galapatthy was awarded 'Deshakeerthi Lanka Puthra' award from the National Awards Presentation University College in appreciation of his continuous free service to the Sri Lanka Army, Navy, Police and the National Cricket team as a motivator.

Superjumbo to fly to Zurich

From March 28, Singapore Airlines' customers travelling between Singapore and Zurich will get to fly on the world's largest aircraft, the Airbus A380, when the superjumbo makes its way to the Swiss city.

Daily A380 services between Singapore and Zurich will replace the existing 12 weekly frequencies between the two cities, which are operated with smaller Boeing 777-300ER aircraft. Operations are subject to the airport being certified for A380 flights.

Zurich will be the third city in Europe and the seventh in Singapore Airlines' network to receive the A380. The Airline started operating the superjumbo in October 2007 to Sydney and subsequently added services to London, Tokyo, Paris, Hong Kong and Melbourne.

Customers travelling on the A380 will experience unsurpassed standards of luxury and sophistication in air travel. Exclusively available on the Airline's A380s are the Singapore Airlines Suites, where each Suite is a private cabin in the sky, providing the ultimate in luxury and privacy. Behind discrete sliding doors is a spacious and truly personal area, with lavish furnishings and finishes. Suites come furnished with luxurious and fully adjustable leather seats, upholstered by world-renowned Poltrona Frau, and full-sized beds.