|
|
 |
 |
 |
| Friday, 25 July 2003 |
 |
|
 |
Business | |
| News Business Features Editorial Security Politics World Letters Sports Obituaries
|
Kani Lanka Resort opens for business by Tharika Goonathilake Maldivian based international hotel, travel and tour operators Cyprea Holdings, has taken over the management of the Sindbad hotel, backed by a Rs 600 million investment to upgrade the property to an all new product.
The tie up which has given the 20-year-old property the necessary cash flow and management edge to be on par with the Maldivian chain, has ensued a massive refurbishment drive, room and facilities up grade, and the completion of 125 rooms that was abandoned by its former owners due to financial constraints. "The peace initiative has boosted prospects for Sri Lanka as a destination in a big way. The management agreement with the Maldivian chain and the commitment to invest in the property are largely due to investor confidence and the belief in the destination's potential," says local representatives Cyprea Lanka Pvt Ltd, Manager Sales and Marketing Himaj Jayasinghe. According to Jayasinghe, the hotels facelift has resulted in a significant increase in bookings and " prospects for the forthcoming winter season looks extremely good". "The interest expressed by leading tour operators such as Kuoni and Somak to market the property has been a major boost for the hotel which is already enjoying good occupancy rates," he says. On the cards are marketing drives to tap the interest in the Australian, British, Italian and French market, with a major promotional initiative targeted to lure more Swiss tourists, commencing October this year. With average room rates set around US$ 60-70 for half rates, Kani Lanka, is also looking at the high spenders given the range of facilities on offer at the hotel. Situated just two and a half hours away from the Colombo City, overlooking the Kalu Ganga and the placid blue waters of the sea, the hotel now boasts of 99 superior rooms and six junior suites furnished with all modern facilities including air-conditioning, telephone, piped music, hot and cold shower, terrace and balcony. Kani Lanka has also enhanced and added new attractions to the property's Water Sports Centre which offers a range of sports facilities that include water skiing, canoeing, sail boats for aqua enthusiasts, not to mention the river cruise to take in the sights and sounds of the picturesque area. The hotel has a floating restaurant, a popular option for those who visit the hotel and a range of other facilities for an unique holiday stay. Designed by renowned architect the late Geoffrey Bawa, Kani Lanka has been given a modern interior line in a tasteful blend to enhance its oriental features with a touch of the modern. ###### Lanka's tourism blooms in the land of Cherry Blossoms Sri Lanka's destination promotional initiative was given a further boost, following a commitment by two of Japan's leading T.V and travel magazine to do a series of programs and consumer articles on Sri Lanka.
The T.V and Magazine crew were here on an invitation extended by James K. Soejiman, Manager, Sri Lanka Tourism Board, Tokyo. During their two weeks stay, the T.V crew from the popular Ashai Channel, a cable TV network in Japan, enjoying wide audience patronage through their `Sunday Present' program, filmed a series of localities around the island, including the facilities available at several hotel properties such as the Mount Lavina Hotel, Tree of Life, Tea Factory and Taj Exotica. According to Ushan Edirisinghe of the Sri Lanka Tourist Board, the idea was to focus on a series of localities that capture the lifestyles and facilities on offer for the up market travellers. Japan, a major target market for Sri Lanka tourism this year, has recorded a 35 percent increase in tourist arrivals, with 7900 Japanese tourists visiting the country in the first six months of this year, as against 5800 tourists in 2002. In addition to the T.V crew, a team from the Japanese based leisure magazine, VACATION has also done a series of travel articles with emphasis on Sri Lanka's attractions, Edirisinghe said. The upmarket magazine, which has found favour among professionals in their early 40s is targeted at discerning travellers. "These two promotional endeavours will help to publicise Sri Lanka's destination product among the end travellers, given the huge popularity this channel and magazine enjoys," he said. According to Edirisinghe, this is one among several publicity stints that are being lined up to promote Sri Lanka's tourism product in Japan. (T.G.) ###### Travel Days to publish Sri Lanka supplement in London Travel Days, the leading European newspaper for the travel trade will publish a special supplement on Sri Lanka for this year's World Travel Market to be held in the Earls Court Exhibition Centre in London in November 2003. The supplement will feature the very best that Sri Lanka has to offer in terms of her beaches, tourist sites, the leading hotels in Colombo, tourism facilities and focus attention on the island as a leading destination in South Asia.
Sri Lanka is poised to attract even more visitors in 2004. The European market is a lucrative one for the country's travel trade indu stry. Travel Days has featured Sri Lanka in the past - this supplement will look at the very best of Sri Lanka. The Sri Lanka Supplement will be distributed at the World Travel Market and at the ITB in Berlin in 2004. Sri Lanka is a beautiful tourism destination - the scenery is astounding, the present peace process also augurs well for the tourism industry. More European visitors are travelling to the island to witness the sights and sounds of Sri Lanka. The country has even been featured as one of the top 25 destinations of the world in British newspapers - it is a 'must see' destination, said Tomasso Bruccoleri. A team from Travel Days will be visiting Sri Lanka shortly. |
|
News | Business | Features
| Editorial | Security
Produced by Lake House |
The 32 acre popular beach front hotel in the Southwest coast, is now
marketed as Kani Lanka Resort and Spa and also holds the distinction of
being the first hotel in Sri lanka to have the expertise of the
internationally acclaimed Serena Spa.
The Sri Lanka Supplement will be distributed to trade buyers, airlines,
travel companies and business companies at this year's World Travel
Market, an event by the UK tourism industry.
