Pegasus back to four star status

The Pegasus Reef hotel has been upgraded to a four star hotel with an investment of Rs. 220 million investment.

Director of the Hotel, Paddy Vithana said that the hotel was neglected and was also damaged after the tsunami. "This is why we decided to invest in the property," he said.

The hotel, which was the first five star hotels in the country, was classified to a two star property recently.

The hotel is now popular among the airport traffic and airline crews and there is also an increased demand from locals. "This is why we decided to concentrate on this property," he said.

The management has added new furniture for interior and have done a lot of landscape to make the hotel more attractive.

Vithana said that they are also combining two rooms and making more rooms to accommodate the project to meet future demand. In addition the hotel has also upgraded their conference facilities to meet international standards.

"In addition we have also constructed a modern laundry to cater to the hotel requirements and accept outside orders," he said. A modern gymnasium too has been installed to provide additional facility to the guests.

"We are now in the process of finding a suitable partner to award the running of the Ayurvedha centre," he said.

Pegasus owned and operated by Carson Cumberbatch Hotels also own the Giritale Hotel in Polonnnaruwa.

"We are planning to market both hotel together offering a round trip package for the guests," he said.

With the completion of the refurbishment plans "Pegasus Reef" offers a new luxury accommodation in all 107 spacious deluxe rooms in three different wings.

All rooms are equipped with central air conditioning, TV, telephone, mini bar, safety lockers, internet connections, hot/cold bath and private balcony terrace.

The open-air restaurant with 150-200 covers has become very popularamong guests.

The hotel hopes to introduce a sea food night, BBQ and grill nights in future as there is a high demand from the guests.

ABC Travels moves forward in leaps and bounds

ABC Travels a subsidiary of ABC group of companies and a leading travel solutions provider in Sri Lanka which was formally known as Transair Travels and well-known among the public for its innovative moves in making air travel not a dream but a reality for everyone, is proud to announce its successful endeavours to the world.

ABC Travels together with ABC Credit card co. is presently heading in the direction of revolutionizing the travel industry by way of its "Fly now Pay later scheme" on a 0% Interest Installment package tailor made to suit the budget of anyone visiting ABC Travels to obtain their services.

Presently under the leadership of Managing Director Orville Pereira and Manager ABC Travels Ishan Munaweera have moved forward in leaps and bounds during a short period of 06 months ever since its ceremonial launch of the name change attended by VIP's in the beginning of the year.

Further to the changes, the focus of ABC Travels has shifted towards a new direction by establishing themselves as a corporate house which caters to all the needs of the corporate entity as well as an incentive tour operator catering to the leisure travellers on a highly exclusive basis.

The most recent tour package which commenced recently comprising 20 passengers who embarked on a journey to the forgotten cities of Ancient China and the Land of Smiles (Thailand) ended on a very high note recently by arriving in Sri Lanka with a lifetime of unforgettable memories for everyone.

The most unique feature of this tour package was the fact that 90% of the participants made use of the 'Fly now Pay Later' scheme which was made available to them through the ABC Credit Card at a 0% Interest installment plan.

The tour was accompanied by ABC Travels Asst. Manageress Ayoma Nissanka who was on tour to look into all the needs of the participants keeping with the policy of the Higher Management to accompany any group tour organized by ABC travels to offer the clients with a "Service Beyond Expectations".

Awareness on home stay tourism vital

Hathoon Sheriffdeen

It's appreciable that a considerable number of trained are in the sphere of eco-tourism and they should train the rural community to promote the home stay tourism in Sri Lanka.

There are many places where the culture and lifestyle of the villages are very high-flying to attract more tourism in the country. Chairman , Ceylon Tourist Board, Renton De Alwis said at the web launching ceremony of Sri Lanka Eco Tourism Federation, recently.

Home stay tourism generates an additional income to the villagers. Villagers can construct cottages next to or attached to their home and promote their indigenous culture, food and entertainment to the visitors.

Sri Lanka has a fabulous cultural mix, which varies areas to area and new to outsiders. These cultural differences can be promoted to visitors to the country. This will build the tourism healthier. De Alwis said.

Arugambay can be taken for the promotion of cultural mixture of southeastern country. Where Sri Lanka's originals of Sinhalese, Tamils, Muslims and Christians are living together. This areas we will start the home stay programs in future, he said.

Electronic cameras are to be installed to absorb the surfing scenery in Arugambay which is recognised as the 13th best location in World for surfing destinations. The interested in surfing in the world over could view the Arugambay scenic beauty through this proposed electronic devices expected to install, he said.