Business TRAVEL

Singapore to host Asian ITB

Messe Berlin, organizer of the world’s largest travel trade show, ITB, and the Singapore Tourism Board inked a deal that will see Singapore host the show’s first-ever Asian Edition annually every October. (22-24.)

Over 30 Sri Lankan companies are expected to participate for the inaugural event. The initial focus will be on buyers and sellers in the region, but as the event grows, it aims to attract tourism exhibitors, buyers and trade visitors from all over the world and across the full spectrum of the tourism industry, including tour operators, airlines and hotels.

“ITB Asia 2008 will draw some 10,000 overseas delegates, contributing significantly to our Tourism 2015 targets and vision.

Over 500 exhibitors from more than 50 countries are expected to participate in the inaugural event.

It will augment our calendar of business events, and reinforce Singapore’s reputation as an exchange capital of the world that catalyses business success for event organizers and business visitors,” President and CEO of Messe Berlin Raimund Hosch said.

The organizers’ decision was also positively influenced by Singapore’s track record and proven ability to hold large-scale and major business events, as well as its dynamic and exciting range of entertainment and leisure options, offering business visitors a holistic and uniquely enriching experience.

According to Messe Berlin principals, Singapore was selected as the choice location to launch ITB Asia due to its strategic location and accessibility among the emerging Asian markets, and its excellent infrastructure and track record for hosting large-scale events.

“The decision to anchor ITB Asia here demonstrates Messe Berlin’s confidence in Singapore as a strategic destination for staging premium MICE events, while reflecting the company’s optimistic outlook of Asian outbound travel and the growth potential of the travel trade in the region,” said Deputy Chairman and Chief Executive of Singapore Tourism Board, Lim Neo Chian.

ITB Berlin is the largest tourism trade show in the world, held annually in March. Organized by Messe Berlin, ITB Berlin is a prime meeting place, marketplace, and driving force behind the entire tourism industry.

Packages for Hikkaduwa Beach Fiesta

Hikkaduwa Beach Fest is a fun-filled fiesta for kids, youth, adults and grandparents.

The world famous southern coastal town of Hikkaduwa is all agog with preparations to hold Hikkaduwa Beach Fest - 08, an initiative of Sri Lanka Tourism.

Sun kissed beaches of Hikkaduwa vibrate to the pulsating rhythms of DJ’s, dancers, and musicians from July 30 to August 3.

The event will cater to both local and foreign visitors as well as to persons of all age groups - a family outing.

World Travel Centre, the leading domestic travel operator responding to Sri Lanka Tourism’s above event, offers a wide variety of packages, including day outings, one night, two nights packages.

These include accommodation at hotels of clients’ choice, and transport in luxury vehicles from Colombo to Hikkaduwa and back.

Advantages in these packages are the availability of a wide range of packages to suit any budget and options to choose either bread and breakfast, half board or full board basis. Further details can be obtained from Sri Lanka Tourism’s Website, www.srilankatourism.org

Aitken Spence Hospitality School to train new batch

Aitken Spence School of Hospitality in Ahungalla is scheduled to commence training for its fourth batch of students in August, 2008. The three preceding batches passing out, numbering 74 in total, is a success story in molding rural youth aspiring to make their mark in the international hospitality trade.

The school of hospitality was conceptualized as a corporate social responsibility initiative of Aitken Spence.

The hospitality school which commenced its operations in 2007 conducted its inaugural session in Beruwela at the Neptune Hotel, prior to moving to its purpose- built premises in Ahungalla, which is built in partnership with Hilswerk of Austria through the Chamber of Commerce - Vienna.

At present the school’s curriculum involves training in basic food and beverage inclusive of theoretical as well as practical aspects.

The lecture panel comprises of veteran Aitken Spence Hotels officials counting decades of industry experience as well as visiting lecturers from leading academic institutions.

Three months of comprehensive theoretical training will be followed by a 9-month industrial training session in one of the Aitken Spence Hotels.

During this time the students are provided with a monthly allowance and in successfully completing the session the students are offered permanent employment within the hotel chain.

The students can look forward to a rewarding career in the hospitality trade in Sri Lanka as well as abroad in the rapidly growing network of Aitken Spence resorts oversees or through Aitken Spence Resources, which facilitates employment in the international hospitality industry.

The school plans to expand its curriculum into housekeeping, basic level reception and professional cookery.

In addition, proposed infrastructure for a training kitchen, restaurant and more classrooms are planned for the near future.

The school also has in-house accommodation for up to 40 students. Recreational activities include a library, common room and playground for cricket and volleyball.

Aitken Spence Resources is the overseas recruitment arm of Aitken Spence Hotels, with the objective of helping businesses and individual workers attain competitive advantage in achieving company and personal objectives in the hospitality industry.

Aitken Spence Resources seeks to create substantial value to businesses through improved utilization of human capital.

Tex and Mex promotion

Discover the Texas and Mexican cuisine and its blissful delights at the Warmest heart in Sri Lanka - The Ceylon Continental Hotel Colombo till July 13. Cafe Emerald - The Coffee shop will host this mouth-watering cuisine during dinner 7.00 pm to 11.00 pm.

Tex-Mex is a term used primarily in Texas and the Southwestern United States to describe a regional American cuisine that blends food products available in the United States and the culinary creations of Mexican - Americans influenced by the cuisines of Mexico.

Fresh green salads with the favourite dressings and colourful and delicious desserts will also be on offer during the Tex-Mex promotion.

Hotel show begins tomorrow

Ruwanthi Abeyakoon

When there’s a downturn in tourism Hotel Show 2008 will uplift the image of the country, Chairman, Hotel Show Committee, Kumara Senaratne said in an interview with Daily News Business.

“It builds a positive image of the country and industry. Tourism is a very sensitive industry. Industry will become lively with events of this nature. Even when there are lots of issues such as fuel crisis our suppliers have been confident in us. They have been with us right through out,” he said.

Hotel Show 2008, the showcase for hospitality supplies will commence tomorrow at the Sirimavo Bandaranaike Memorial Exhibition Centre and will continue till July 13. The event is organised by Ceylon Hotel School Graduates Association.

Hotel show which started first in 1998 is held every other year. “We have organised this mega event for the fifth consecutive time. The purpose of the exhibition is to create a window of opportunity to hotel developers and operators,” Senaratne said.

“Suppliers of goods and services can meet under one roof. The event will provide the opportunity to meet professionals in the industry to upgrade hospitality infrastructure in hotels and restaurants,” he added.

He also said new technology and equipment to serve international clientele will be on display. “Professional development sessions will be held concurrently to the exhibition.

Hotel professionals, Hotel Managers and chefs can attend and get knowledge,” he said.

Around eighty companies will participate at this exhibition. There will be 110 stalls displaying various products from hospitality trade. “Agents from Australia, Singapore, India and Italy will bring in new products. People don’t have to spend excessively and go out of the country as goods are brought to their doorstep through the exhibition.. They can save money and add value to their business,” Senaratne said.

“In supplier point of view they can meet all key people within three days. All involved in the hospitality industry will get a good exposure. Funds generated will be used for human resource development activities by the association,” he added.

Associated Newspapers of Ceylon Ltd will be the official print media sponsor for the event.

Dialog, Jetwing boost communication for tourists

In a bid to enhance communication facilities for international travelers touring Sri Lanka, Dialog GSM, and Jetwing Hotels recently launched a special communications solution for its international guests. Available exclusively at Jetwing hotels the special Dialog package will not only provide cross border connectivity but also offer customers a whole host of value added services.

Through this communication solution, IDD enabled Dialog Kit prepaid SIMs and eZ charge cards will be made available at selected Jetwing Hotels to all the international guests, giving them the convenience of being contactable as soon as they arrive at the hotel.

Chief Operating Officer, Dialog Mobile, Supun Weerasinghe, said “Our partnership with Jetwing hotels is an extension of our commitment towards delivering exceptional service levels to all our customers. Through this partnership we seek to address the unique communication needs of our inbound customers by providing them with a customised mobile communications solution”.

“We are glad to partner Dialog on this project and are quite confident that this programme will enrich the travel experience of our guests by giving them the opportunity to enjoy their stay in Sri Lanka while also being able to keep in touch with their loved ones back home” Said, Managing Director Jetwing Hotels, Ruan Samarasinghe.

The special connection equipped with value added services is available at Jetwing Ayurveda Pavilions - Negombo, Jetwing Beach - Negombo, Jetwing Blue Oceanic - Negombo, Jetwing Seashells - Negombo, Jetwing Tropical Villas and Ayurveda, Jetwing Lighthouse - Galle, Jetwing Vil Uyana - Sigiriya, Jetwing Hunas Falls - Kandy and Jetwing St. Andrew’s - Nuwara Eliya.

July offers at Taj

The Taj Airport Garden Hotel has unveiled a series of promotions for July catering to the tastes and preferences of different people and of all ages.

The Sunday Lunch Buffet at the scenic Harbour Bar located adjacent to the serene Negombo Lagoon invites you jump into the swimming pool, play a round of table tennis, have fun with beach volleyball, shoot a round of pool or sharpen your aim at shooting basketball while the Chefs lay out an extensive buffet filled with delicacies from around the world.

The BBQ Nite every Tuesday at the Society 24/24 Coffee Shop serves Western, Sri Lankan, Indian and Chinese cuisine with a traditional Negombo Calypso band in attendance.

Kebab Magic every Wednesday brings an array of kebabs by the hotels Master Chef from Lucknow. Kebab Meals comes with a portion of kebab accompanied by Dal and Naan or Roti.

Grills and Griddles of The World brings a range of delectable secrets that emerge from the best of grill and griddle recipes brought together from various parts of the world by our Chefs, while ‘Ocean On A Platter’, the seafood bonanza continues with an array of succulent seafood preparations cooked to perfection. With a Deluxe or Premium platter also comes a complimentary glass of red or white wine.

Pub Bar offers a King Coconut Cocktail. Guests can also shoot a round of pool or sing favourite tunes at the karaoke to set the mood for the evening.

New PR Manager

Dinusha Warnasuriya has been appointed as the New Public Relations Manager to Trans Asia hotel last month she joined SriLankan Airlines in 1998 as cabin crew for a short while and then was attached to the ticket office for a year and later moved to Corporate Communications as a PR Officer and continued till 2004.

After moving to the U.K in 2004 and worked at Hogg Robinson’s Group in Central

London as a Senior Business Travel Consultant she returned to the Island in 2007 and joined Dialog Telekom as a PR and Hospitality Co-coordinator and worked for Key Client Services.

Here Warnasuriya is being congratulated by the Consultant Corporate Affairs, Yasmin Cader.

Cakes and Shakes at Hilton

Hilton Colombo has set July for people with a sweet tooth. The hotel invites sweet lovers to come and taste a delicious array of cakes and shakes available at the Cakes and Shakes promo-taking place at the Thorana Lounge until end of this month.

The scrumptious delights on offer are made by an award winning team of pastry chefs from Hilton, who are renowned for their mastery in producing a variety of delectable goodies.

At this special promotion, an array of cakes and shakes in a number of flavors will be on offer.

This July, the Hilton Colombo Thorana Lounge is a ‘must be’ place for the whole family to enjoy tasting a delectable piece of cake whilst sipping on a flavorsome shake. The Cakes and Shakes promo is part of a series of ongoing promotions taking place at the hotel’s renowned restaurants, Curry Leaf, Ginza Hohsen, Il Ponte, Spoons and Spices this month.