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Travel
Thai investors eyeslocal leisure sector
Shirajiv SIRIMANE
Thailand investors are keen to invest in the Sri Lankan leisure and
the property development sector.
This was disclosed by Vice President Thai Sri Lanka Business Council,
Aruni Thappili who led a high-powered Thai business delegation to Sri
Lanka on an invitation extended by Chairman, Galle Face Hotel Sanjeev
Gardiner. She said that some of the investors in the delegation were
keen on entering into joint ventures. “They are keen either to develop
existing property or invest in new property”.
The good air connectivity between the two countries and the Buddhist
cultural ties, both countries enjoy is a major plus factor to promote
Thai tourists to visit Sri Lanka. There is a new of Thai tourist
generation who are keen on exploiting cultural and values like to visit
ruins.
The 32-member group also viewed the Kandy Dalada Perahera and said
that this can be a major tourist promotion in Thailand as well. Group
Director GFH, Lakshman Sirimane said that there is tremendous investment
potential last month and also held discussions with Thai investors,” he
said.
President Sri Lanka Thailand Business Council said that Gem and
Jewellery and the import of sprats are the some of the key business that
are in place and leisure sector is an untapped area for future
investment.
Thai Ambassador, Thinakorn Kanasuta who also attended a dinner hosted
by the GFH said more delegation of this nature should be organised to
promote business between the two countries.
 Trans Asia Hotel celebrated 23 years last week with religious
ceremonies organised by the Welfare Society. Religious observances of
all faiths were held on different days commencing with an all night
Pirith on Friday at the hotel’s Dukes Court followed by Heeldana at 6.30
am on Saturday (Poya).
A Muslim Prayer service and Bayan (Sermon) was held on Wednesday,
August 20 from 3.30pm at Queens Court while a Catholic Holy Mass will
take place on August 22 at 10.30 am at the Earls Court. Episcopal Vicar
of Colombo South Region Rev Fr. Emmanuel Fernando will be in attendance.
Hindu religious rites will take place on the following day.
Travel net losses widen
European travel firm TUI Travel said that net losses deepened in the
first nine months of 2008, but added that holiday demand was buoyant
despite challenging conditions and high fuel costs. Net losses widened
to 518.7 million pounds (650 million euros, 970 million dollars) in the
nine months to June 30, 2008, TUI Travel said in a trading update.
That compared with a net loss of 333.8 million pounds in the
equivalent period in the previous financial year. The London-listed
company was formed last September through a merger of British group
First Choice with the tourism activities of German travel giant TUI.
The travel operator meanwhile cut its underlying operating loss by 33
percent to 185.1 million pounds over the same period. Revenues rose 9.0
percent to 8.778 billion pounds. TUI Travel also increased its
profitability in the third quarter. AFP
Dickwella Resort reopens with Spa
Dickwella Resort and Spa has invested over Rs. 50 million to reopen
the hotel after it was damaged by tsunami.
Chairman, Dickwella Resort and Spa, Italian born Enzo Azzola said
that the management has also introduced a Spa for the property.
Enzo has built 66 bungalow type rooms of five categories of Standard,
Deluxe, Suite, Royal Suite and Family Suites built his dream hotel
Dickwella Resort and Spa. All rooms are air-conditioned and have all
facilities of a five star property.
“My hotel is designed in such a manner that it is like a ‘Ship in the
sea,” Enzo said.
The hotel has a business centre to cater to the growing business and
conference market that is being developing.
He has also built 20 houses for Dodampahala tsunami affected. He has
also built a community centre, a pre-school and a medical centre at a
cost of US Dollars 20,000. (BJ)
Abeywardane for int’l Ayurveda confab
Convener of Sub committee for the (Ayurveda) to the Ministry of
Tourism, Ayurvcedic Dr. Ranjith Abeaywardena has been invited to
represent Sri Lanka at the second International Conference on Ayurveda
and Complementary System of Medicine’ organised by the Thathagat
Ayurveda Research Foundation, India.
This conference will be held on 23rd August 2008 at Pattaya,
Thailand.
Dr. Abeywardena who is working immensely to develop and promote
Ayuvedic medicine in the tourism industry is a registered traditional
Ayurvedic doctor. He is an Ayurveda expert in the tourism industry”.
Dr. Abeywardena stated that, Thathagat Ayurveda Research Foundation
is planning to hold the next conference in Sri Lanka and is in
discussions with him about the same.
This will open gateways for Sri Lankan indigenous medical
practitioners to connect with International ayureveda sector that will
result in new ventures in the arena. |
