travel

Boulder Range Resort first 'Resort' in Dambulla

Boulder Range Resort, built at Monaravila, Kiralagolla, Dambulla is the first 'Resort' type hotel to be built in Dambulla. The total investment for the project is Rs. 30 million.

Dambulla is fast becoming a popular tourist destination due to the vast number of tourist attractions it offers, including the Sigiriya-Dambulla International Cricket Stadium.

Boulder Range Resort has been built in a most scenic location overlooking a range of beautiful mountains, valleys and boulders. It has 20 chalets offering star class comforts. Chairman Kokila Ratnayaka began his career as a professional photographer. He built his photostudio in Kurunegala and his first hotel was, Hotel Kusum Nadiya at Kurunegala. Kokila hopes to market his new hotel among foreigners and Sri Lankans.

Tourism industry awaits better times

The Ceylon Hotels Schools Graduates Association (CHSGA) has held their presence in the market place in spite of the very difficult times the tourism industry is going through. "Despite the downtrend in the scenario the CHSGA has grown in strength within the industry and has become a driving force to unite all the stake holders of the hospitality and tourism industry while we await better times," said President elect Sarath Fernando.

Addressing the Annual general meeting at Heritance Ahungalle he said that

"It is our duty now to be prepared to face the challenges when the industry becomes a key player in the economic revival of the country. With this thought as our motivator we need to channel our efforts to maintaining and improving the infrastructure of properties ensuring refurbishment and a group of well trained staff who will assist us to weather the storm," he said.

I have requested the Tourism Minister and the leaders of the Tourism industry to facilitate classroom and practical scholarships to the private sector hotel executives.

I believe there are plenty of opportunities given through the respective employment bureaus as reciprocal arrangements between governments to facilitate such sponsored training programmes," he added. This will give the overseas training opportunities needed by individuals as no organization can give their middle management the opportunity in terms of time off from work, payments or even a promise of a future.

"It is time for us to realize that unlike many other industries this is one that cannot be completely mechanized" he said.

Mobitel partner Hilton Kottu Fest. 2008

Sri Lanka Telecom Mobitel, the National Mobile Services Provider is a partner of the Colombo Hilton Kottu Fest 2008, which is to be held on November 9, 2008 at the Hilton Colombo's Sport Centre Car Park.

It is set to be a festival of food, music and dance, with unlimited entertainment from

Daddy, Channa's Dance Troupe, Iraj and the Elephant Foot Drummers from Hikkaduwa.

Speaking on the significance of the sponsorship, Chairperson, Sri Lanka Telecom Mrs. Leisha De Silva Chandrasena, and Sri Lanka Telecom Mobitel said, "We are very proud to be a partner of the Colombo Hilton Kottu Fest 2008.

This will be yet another stunning culinary showcase, being a festival that encapsulates as well as understands local taste. As this will be an fundraising endeavor for a variety of charities, it fits well with Sri Lanka Telecom Mobitel's corporate values of caring and sharing."

Over 100 chefs of Hilton Colombo have been assigned to undertake this spectacular fiesta, where 2100 kg of the best Kottu in Colombo will be prepared for the public.

The festival was hugely successful last year, attracting a remarkable 7000 people who were treated to a scrumptious feast.

Mobitel, the National Mobile Services Provider, is a wholly owned subsidiary of Sri Lanka Telecom. In January 2004, the company launched its fully-fledged 2.5G GSM network that is EDGE/GPRS enabled and designed to operate on dual band.

Kosgoda invests Rs. 160 million

Kosgoda beach resort has appointed veteran hotelier Sanath Kumarasinghe to manage the property.

The property that is to be re positioned as a luxury boutique hotel, with value additions next year had seen an investment of Rs. 160million recently. The management hopes to re invest a further Rs. 5 million for re positioning the hotel.

"We are also looking at a water sports managing company to put up a water sports centre at the venue," he said.

The hotel's newly built specialty restaurant too is very popular among honey moaners. "We are now looking at new markets in Gulf and Western countries," he said.