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Lanka opens tourism link with Central Asia

By Shirajiv Sirimane

The Ceylon Hotels Corporation (CHC) has opened new markets for Sri Lanka tourism in five former Russian Republic states.

According to Senior Manager Marketing and Travel, CHC, Ranjith Balasuriya a travel firm from Kazakastan, Business Partners, has indicated to the travel bureau of the CHC, that they were very keen to promote Sri Lanka.

Balasuriya said a senior official of this agency, M. Tony had indicated they can send 'Back to back' tour groups from Kazakastan to Sri Lanka. "The agent said the agency had already promoted Sri Lanka in Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Kyrgyzstan and they have received positive inquiries from these countries."

The Marketing Manager said the tour groups are expected to be in Sri Lanka from October 2003 and said this would be a high spending clientele. "The agent had indicated that the groups would stay for around 10 to 14 days and they were keen on organised tours." He said if there were big tour groups, the agency would charter a flight from one of the former Eastern bloc countries.

Balasuriya said that the new Chairman of the CHC, Bodhi Ranasinghe had given specific instructions for the travel bureau to find new destinations to promote Sri Lanka.

"We have also found new clients from Nigeria and Madagascar through our travel bureau."

The travel bureau is the oldest travel counter in the hospitality industry in Sri Lanka and provides information on all subjects related to travel. Online bookings are also accepted from this counter. The Hotels Corporation has also renovated their travel bureau at No 211, Galle road Colombo 3 at a cost of Rs. 9.5 million. This was opened to the public last week. This refurbishment included the renovation of the Hotels corporation building at the same venue.

The Ceylon Hotels Corporation (CHC) has also reactivated their travel counter at the Katunayake International Airport to meet the growing demand of both local and foreign arrivals.

Tangerine refurbished

Tangerine Hotel Kalutara, one of the largest hotels in the Southern province, has decided to go in for a soft refurbishment for the season.

The Hotel owned by Tangerine Tours and built 20 years ago with 178 large rooms have already refurbished 40 rooms adding a mini bar, television and other facilities to each room.

"We have also decided to give a new look to the lounge bar," said the Deputy General Manager of both Tangerine Beach Hotel and adjoining Royal Palms, Jan Van Twest.

He said the Supper Club at Tangerine Hotel which has a very intimate atmosphere with music for dancing too had been upgraded.

"Another cosmetic change would be the seen in the lounge area and we are changing the lounge area giving more space for guests."

He said they have weekly theme nights and a live band five days a week.

The manager, a hotel schools graduate, said that since they receive a lot of bookings for weddings, the banquet hall too had been redesigned. The hotel also has two floodlit tennis courts, squash courts, and facilities for badminton, volleyball, table tennis, pool table and other watersports. The gym and the health centre is shared with the Royal Palms Beach.

Their large freshwater swimming pool with massage jets in the shallow end is much sought after.

The huge pond near the reception with very friendly ducks swimming in and out of the water and mini ponds in the garden are ideal attractions. The Deputy General Manager who also served in both the Maldives and Singapore said that the Sri Lankan clientele needs more attention.

"The locals want to be pampered more than the other guests. We have realised this quality and always respect that quality and act accordingly." (SS)

SriLankan Airlines launches new flight to religious hub of Buddhist world

by Louise Baxter

Treading the soil of Bodha Gaya could be venerated life dream for Sri Lankan Buddhists and such dream would come true when SriLankan Airline launches its new service to Bodha Gaya this month.

This will be SriLankan airlines 7th flight destination in India, however Bodha Gaya holds a particular religious significance, a SriLankan Airlines Senior Official said.

Bodha Gaya, located nearly 10kms south of Gaya in the East Indian province of Bihar, is said to be the place where the Buddha attained enlightenment under the sacred Bo Tree 2542 years ago. Amongst other sacred areas located nearby, is Lumbinivana, just east of Kapilavastu, where Prince Siddharta was born. Sarnath, or Isipatana, is where the Buddha delivered His first sermon and the last of the sacred places is Kushinara in Uttar Pradesh, where the Buddha passed away (parinirvana).

Consequently, Bodha Gaya and its locality, has been a place of religious pilgrimage ever since the 3rd century BC when Emperor Ashoka the Great rejuvenated and propagated Buddhism.

As technology has evolved, travel abroad has become easier, pilgrims from Sri Lanka have frequently crossed to India and travelled long distances to reach Bodha Gaya. In more recent times, it has been possible for some to travel by air to Delhi or Chennai and travel across country to the eastern province. However, these journeys have frequently proved to be quite gruelling for pilgrims, given the long distances involved.

Now, SriLankan Airlines are honoured to announce that they are launching their first international direct flight to Bodha Gaya from Colombo, making the area more easily accessible. The event will be marked by a series of ceremonies, which will honour the occasion appropriately. Many VIPs, including clergy of the highest order, are expected to attend the event. In addition, it is anticipated that many more will partake in the inaugural flight. The ceremonies will be religious and cultural in nature and are expected to include some cultural dancing.

SriLankan Airlines expect that this destination will become more and more popular, especially during the pilgrimage season.

Furthermore, it is anticipated that the popularity of this flight will spread to other countries, particulary in South East Asia such as Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand and Japan, as there are many monasteries of these origins located in these countries.

Bodha Gaya is also a popular destination with many Hindus as this a place where they can offer oblations for the salvation of their dead forefathers.

Travel officials leave for WTM

by Shirajiv Sirimane

Nearly 100 officials representing 30 travel industry institutions in Sri Lanka will attend the World Travel Mart (WTM) which will be held in London from November 11 to 14.

According to an official from the Tourist Board, Sri Lanka's theme will be 'Nature, Culture and Adventure'. "We are also marketing our logo 'Sri Lanka - a land like no other' at this event."

The official added that a series of promotional events have been organised to coincide with this Mart. "Nine Lankan dancers will perform daily day while a special tea promotion too will be held."

The event, attended by industry officials from over 100 countries, will be an ideal opportunity to promote Sri Lanka. The Board hopes to emphasise peace and political stability. "We are taking this opportunity to tell the world that Sri Lanka is the safest destination in Asia."

The official said Sri Lankan theme nights too would be held daily. Awards will be presented to travel officials who have marketed Sri Lanka specially from the UK.

Chairman Tourist Board Paddy Withana too will attend the WTM.

India launches drive to build global brand identity for tourists

NEW DELHI, Thursday (AFP) Inspired by the success of international tourism advertisement campaigns including "Surprising Singapore," and "Amazing Thailand," India's tourism ministry has decided to give the country a global brand identity.

According to the official website of the ministry, "Incredible India" has been chosen as a brand name to market India as one of the best locations globally. "A comprehensive marketing plan for jump-starting tourism has been prepared. New areas to be focused upon included medical tourism and golf tourism," the site says.

"The forthcoming World Cup cricket would be also used as a marketing theme and global celebrities would be invited to India for promotion of the sector." According to Amitabh Kant, a tourism ministry official, "Brand identity is needed for global recognition and to access and penetrate new markets.

"All countries are focusing on their culture and heritage. India too has to break parity and stand out from the crowd. It can do this only with the help of a brand," he said, as quoted by the Economic Times newspaper.

India's share of the global tourism market stands at less than one percent, registering only 2.64 million foreign tourist arrivals last year.

India's share in world tourism receipts during 2001 was a dismal 0.67 percent or a little more than three billion dollars.

However, government released figures on Tuesday showed a turnaround in the depressed tourism sector during the month of October.

The tourism ministry said foreign traffic had registered a 17 percent growth compared with a negative growth of 19.6 per cent in January.

Up until September, the growth rate in foreign tourist traffic showed a negative trend, from January's fall of 19.6 percent to a 19.8 percent drop in August. The situation improved in September, with the negative growth standing 6.5 percent, the ministry said in a statement.

In figures, foreign tourist arrivals jumped from 151,721 in September to 212,191 in October, while foreign exchange earnings during January- October this year stood at 2.17 billion dollars, lower than 2.49 billion dollars during the corresponding period last year.

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