Grigson heads SLAITO again

THE 27th Annual General Meeting of the Sri Lanka Association of Inbound Tour Operators (SLAITO) was held recently at the Ceylon Chamber of Commerce. SLAITO is the apex body for inbound tourism and the membership of SLAITO consists of Destination Management Companies who service tourists in Sri Lanka while Foreign Travel companies and charter operators who are principals of the local members are admitted as associate members.

Dirk Grigson of Hemtours was re-elected as President of SLAITO for the year 2007 / 2008 while Chandra Wickremasinghe of Connaissance Holdings was elected as Vice President. Ramesh Dassanayake of Sunway Holidays was re-elected as Secretary and Gulam Abdulhussein of Pan Lanka Travels and Tours was re-elected as Treasurer.

The following members were elected to serve on the SLAITO Committee: Aitken Spence Travels Ltd. Ravi Subramaniam, Andrew The Travel Co., Mahen Kariyawasan, Asian Exotica T. M. F. Packeer, Crystal Holidays Wansa Hettiarachchi, Gemini Tours & Travels Tony Mantara, Jetwing Travels Ltd. Shiromal Cooray, Lanka Exhibition and Conference Services Imran Hassan, Lanka Sportsreisen Thilak Weerasinghe, N-Kar Travels and Tours Ltd. Nilmin Nanayakkara, United Holidays Ltd. Chaminda Dias.

Vasantha Leelananda of Walkers Ltd. will join the Committee in his capacity as the Immediate Past President.

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Prominent Chinese Buddhist delegation visits Lanka

SUBSEQUENT TO President Mahinda Rajapaksa’s visit to China, the President of the China Buddhist Association Most Venerable Shi Yi Cheng and a delegation of the most nenerable Buddhist prelates/lay Buddhist leaders of China visited Sri Lanka recently.

The delegation comprised of the president and the members of the China Buddhist Association invited

 members from the Lingguanng Temple and their media personal from Beijing Television (BTV) and magazines.

The delegation arrived to Sri Lanka recently and was welcomed at the airport by the representatives of the Ministry of Tourism, the Foreign Ministry, Dalada Maligawa and their local handling agent Aitken Spence Travels. Aitken Spence Travels is Sri Lanka’s leading destination management company.

The delegation was conferred titles at Asgiriya Chapter by the Asgiriya Karaka Sasbha and at Malwatta Viharaya by the Malwatta Maha Viharaya.

They visited all the main Buddhist temples in Anuradhapura, Mihintale and Dambulla including a visit to the inner chamber of the Dalada Maligawa in Kandy.

A visit was made to the President at the President’s House in Kandy.

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The Tea Factory among World’s Best 100 Places

IN AN ENCOURAGING sign to the Sri Lanka’s tourism industry, The Sunday Times of UK has named Sri Lanka’s first theme hotel, The Tea Factory among the “World’s Best 100 Places to Stay” in its September issue.

The UK’s largest-selling Sunday newspaper commenting on The Tea Factory said, “Sitting on a grassy terrace at in the lush tea-planted hills of Sri Lanka is the Tea Factory. For years that’s exactly what it was, but now it’s an arresting 57-room boutique hotel.”

Managing Director of Aitken Spence Hotels and the Immediate Past President of the Sri Lanka Hoteliers Association Malin Hapugoda commenting on the achievement said: “We are really excited that one of Sri Lanka’s iconic hotel properties has been featured in the list of World’s Best Places to Stay by UK’s leading Sunday newspaper. The Tea Factory is truly unique to the world as it is the only tea factory which has been converted to a top-class boutique hotel,” he said.

The Tea Factory holds the distinction of being awarded the South Asian Architecture Award in 1995. The hotel also received outstanding recognition. London in October 2000 for successfully restoring an abandoned building whilst maintaining it original standing.

Significantly, The Tea Factory is also the recipient of the UNESCO Asia - Pacific Heritage Merit Award - 2001 for the impressive conversion of a dilapidated tea factory into a luxury hotel complex.

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First ever wine buffet at Sequel

CINNAMON GRAND’S Sleek Restaurant cum Lounge Bar Sequel is introducing Sri Lanka’s first ever Wine Buffet in a special gourmet evening of indulgence on today and tomorrow from 8 p.m. onwards.

This delightful evening of indulgence will offer diners an opportunity to appreciate over 24 premium wines from all over the world with an extensive wine menu featuring red and white wines.

A leading sommelier will also be on hand to give an insight into each of the distinctive wine varieties on offer - with tips on how to savour the experience. All wines on offer will be paired with a selection of delicious hors d’oeuvres.

Patrons can stick to signature favourites or savour them all during this special promotion which offers French and Australian Classic wines as well as Italian, American and Chilean brands in an evening of wine indulgence at its best.