Travel

India SL tourism: clear focus needed

"There is much potential to promote religious tourism in India, specially the Ramayana trail, but there is no clear focus to promote religious tourism" said Founder Tree of Life Resort & Spa and Rajscape Resort Pvt Ltd Himmat Anand, addressing the Federation of Indian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (FICCI) IIFA International Business Forum Last week.

He said that there are huge opportunities for 2-3 star beach properties in Sri Lanka to promote the properties among Indians, as India doesn't have any, since they are moving upmarket.

There is potential for investment too in this area, even for joint ventures.

He said that the commonwealth Games will be held during September, October and India will be full of visitors. If an attractive package is created Sri Lanka can attract tourists due to the close proximity and frequent flights to and from India.

Anand said that tourism is always driven by the private sector and Sri Lanka is no different. The one million figure Sri Lanka is planning to attract from India by 2015 will not be a reality but the arrival figures will increase in time to come due to the close bonds between the two countries.

Leader of FICCI Business Delegation and Chairperson and Managing Director, The Lalit Suri Hospitality Group, Jyotsna Suri said that India an Sri Lanka are two of the vibrant economies in the region and also share close ties.

Therefore there is huge potential to develop tourism specially religious tourism which can be promoted by both countries as Buddhists from Sri Lanka travel to India while the Inidans are keen to visit the Ramayana trail.

Director Wizcraft (organisers of IIFA) Sabbas Joseph said that international wire services will televise the IIFA awards ceremony and the coverage would be immesurable in terms of publicity for the country as the awards ceremony is watched by over 600 mln people around the world. The vision of IIFA is to build bridges among countries. Chairman PATA and Managing Director, Jetwing Hotels Hiran Cooray said that convertibility of Indian currency is a must to attract tourists from India.

Indian arrivals have increased 70% over the last year said Vice President City Hotels Association Ms Amal Goonatilleke. - SG

Hotels from $ 39 in summer

Forty star-class hotels and apartments and some 275 retailers in Dubai have joined hands with Emirates to offer accommodation and shopping discounts.

New summer special packages by the award-winning airline offer accommodation starting at US$ 39 per person per night sharing till September 15. Every passenger who books a room will receive a Vice Versa Card - a premium shopping card that entitles its user to receive upto 20 percent cash-rewards at over 275 partner outlets.

Also included in these packages are free Meet and Assist service at Dubai International Airport by a uniformed Arabian Adventure's representative, free return transfers between Dubai International Airport and the hotel and a Welcome Pack containing an information leaflet on Dubai, postcards, a tours and safaris brochure, the contact number of a pre-assigned representative and 24 hours emergency number.

Participating hotels and apartments will implement a 24 hour check-in and check-out facility.

"These packages are unbeatable value for money, said Emirates Sales Manager Sri Lanka Devika Ellepola.

Among the other value additions are Emirates' baggage allowances of 30, 40 and 50 kgs respectively per passenger in Economy, Business and First Class, and the Skywards Miles they would earn on their travel, she said.

She pointed out that travel to Dubai has become more convenient with the introduction by Emirates Purchase your UAE visa online facility. Colombo also has a Dubai Visa Processing Centre (DVPC) adjoining the Emirates office.

To be eligible for the Dubai Summer Specials, all travel must be on Emirates flights, and accommodation must be utilised before September 15.

From Colombo, Emirates operates 21 services a week to Dubai, offering convenient connections to more than 100 destinations on the airline's rapidly expanding network.

IFSA creates global forum

Addressing the International Flight Services Association (IFSA) Asia Pacific Conference on June 7 at Cinnamon Lake, Prime Minister D.M. Jayaratne said: "You are in one of the safest countries in the world today as this is a country where terrorism has been completely eradicated and total peace has been gained."

He said "The Government led by the President, Mahinda Rajapaksa has embarked on a massive economic development program which will derive benefits in communities and peripherals."

"This is a prestigious conference and we, being the Government arm for the promotion of conferences and exhibitions under the Ministry of Economic Development, provided all the support to the host CEO of SriLankan Catering Services, Sarath Fernando and his team, not only to bring the conference into Sri Lanka but also to make it a success by adding value with a flavour of Sri Lankan Culture", said GM of Sri Lanka Convention Bureau, Vipula Wanigasekera.

International Flight Services Association caters to the needs and interests of airline and railway personnel.

The Association has created a global forum in this field providing a variety of services from research to development of this industry.

The conference was attended by top professionals in the airline and relevant industries.