Dialog sponsors inaugural Presidential Tourism Awards

Shirajiv Sirimane

The inaugural Presidential Awards for Travel and Tourism will be held on 28 January in Old Parliament complex Colombo. Dialog Telekom will sponsor the event.

Sri Lanka Tourism has received over 100 entries for this inaugural event and 44 awards would be presented. These awards are made to recognise the contribution made to the tourism industry by persons and institutions in the present as well as in the past.

Chairman, Sri Lanka Tourism, Renton de Alwis, said that it is indeed an encouragement to see such support from one of Sri Lanka's leading corporates in promoting the image of our country and abroad.

"In an age where Sri Lanka's tourism sector needs to be nurtured Dialog Telekom's partnership and support in this respect is indeed commendable. Their commitment will indeed play a vital role in developing the Sri Lankan tourism industry tomorrow and in the days to come."

Alwis said that there are many tourist hotels that are not registered. "This award scheme will give them a push to be an registered entity. Safety, hygiene and security would be priorities for new tourist hotels, seeking registration. They would also have to pay 1 per cent from their profits.

In return they would receive training and would be listed in publications, "in addition we are looking at launching a new web bookings engine where small time hotels would be advertised by us. This way they can find foreign guests, which is 'a must' for them, he said "Registration is a win win situation for them" he said.

This includes special awards categories for tourism legends and pioneers through which significant contributions made by tourism leaders in the past, will be recognised. Other categories of awards include airlines, hotels, tour operations, tour guiding, communication organisations, Corporate Social Responsibility efforts and local tourism initiatives.

Dialog Telekom's sponsorship will span for one year. "This partnership is designed to deliver bilateral benefits to both parties in the short and long term.

While Dialog Telekom will lend financial and technological support for the event through this partnership, it will also become the connectivity provider for all Sri Lanka Tourist Board locations, associated partners, events and for inbound tourists," said Senior Manger Group Marketing promotions Chirantha De Soysa.

Dialog Telekom, an ISO 9001 certified company, is a subsidiary of Telekom Malaysia. Dialog operates 2.5G and 3G Mobile Communication networks supporting the very latest in multimedia and mobile Internet services. The Company has the distinction of being the first 3G operator in South Asia.

The selection of the awards was made from a list of nominees and applicants by an independent panel of judges outside of the tourism industry, chaired by Nalin Attygalle, a veteran marketer and management consultant.

Atigalle said that he was very happy with the response they received for the event. "We received over 100 applications and it's very encouraging", he said. The winners would be able to advertise their awards for one year.

President Mahinda Rajapaksha will be Chief Guest for the event while Minister of Tourism Milinda Moragoda, Deputy Minister of Tourism Faiszer Musthapha and other leaders of the industry will participate at the awards ceremony.

Presidential Awards for Travel and Tourism Excellence 2007

Awards tabulated under category and number of awards.

1. General Awards (by nomination)

* Legends 3

* Pioneers 4

2. Tourist Hotels - Star Classified

* 5 Star City 1

* 5 Star Resort 1

* 4 Star 1

* 3 Star 1

* 2 Star 1

* 1 Star 1

3. Tourist Hotels - Other

* Heritage Hotel 1

* Boutique Hotel 1

* Boutique Villa 1

* Heritage Home 1

* Guest House 1

* Home Stay 1

* Restaurant 1

4. Air Line

* Airline of the year 1

* Airline operation of the year 1

* Charter airline operation 1

5. Best Destination Loyal Partners - Local

* Tour Operator 1

* Travel Agent 1

* Domestic Tourism Operator 1

* Conference Mgt Company 1

6. Best Communications Effort

* Tourism Marketing Communication Company 1

* Media Initiative - Electronic 1

* Media Initiative - Print 1

7. Best Niche Operation

* Ayurveda based Tourism Operation 1

* Adventure Tourism Operator 1

8. Service Excellence (by nomination - NATGL, CTGL, Chief Guild)

* Tour Guide 1

* Chauffeur Guide 1

* Chef 1

* Exceptional Individual 1

9. Corporate Social Responsibility

* Corporate Social Responsibility-Industry 1

* Corporate Social Responsibility-Civil Society 1

10. Best Provincial Tourism Project

* Provincial Destination Development & Marketing Initiative 1

* Provincial Tourism Project - Merit Awards 9

* Local Authority Development and Marketing Initiative 1

11. Best Destination Loyal Partners - Foreign

* Tour Operator 1

* Journalist 1

* Outstanding Personality 1

* Foreign Mission 1