Travel

Lanka's Earth Lung project activates other tourism markets

Earth Lung Programme introduced by Sri Lanka Tourism to the World Tourism Organisation is gaining momentum with many countries adopting it. Egypt has already requested Sri Lanka to assist them to take a leaf from Sri Lanka and implement this programme in Egypt.

Sri Lanka intends to implement a long term programme to develop and implement its new road map to a carbon clean, tourism future.

Tourism Minister Milinda Moragoda who addressed the World Tourism Ministers' Summit here at the WTM said that Earth Lung programme was not a public relations initiative but a scheme aimed at a carbon free nation by 2018. "Countries would have to blend long and short term gains to be successful in this programme," he said. He said that results have shown that tourists in other parts of the world including UK are ready to pay attention to visit more greener nations.

The Minister said in addition to Sri Lanka Tourism private sector companies such as Brandix with the world's first green house, Jetwing and Serendib hotels too have followed suit.

This initiative campaigned by the Sri Lanka Tourism was presented at the UNWTO second Conference on Climate Change and Tourism in Davos and was recognised and supported by the UNWTO.

Importantly, policies implemented to address climate change, and in particular, the potential impact of aviation on climate change, will significantly affect global tourism. Long haul markets are particularly vulnerable.

Sri Lanka needs to act to preserve its own tourism industry. This is vital to Sri Lanka's long-term growth and capacity to deliver much-needed development to its rural poor. But this is not only a Sri Lankan problem. It's a global problem, Moragoda said.

Chairman, Sri Lanka Tourism, Renton De Alwis said that what is needed today was strong assertive and fast-forward action. "We need action from tourism, that can dove-tail into the global movement on combating Global Warming," he said.

He said that the Japanese Prime Minister decided not to wear a tie which resulted in a drastic reduction of air conditioning.

"We all need to take certain measures to mitigate the impacts of green house gas emissions, to ensure that we together, build a tourism that is sustainable and will benefit all."

The British State Minister of Tourism, Babara Follet, after a performance of Alston Koch said this was one of the best songs she heard this year. Chairman, World Travel Market, Fiona Jeffery, said the song was emotional.

"This song has highly inspiring words that would help to carry the Earth Lung initiative across the world," she said. "This undoubtedly is the Sri Lanka gift to the world," she added.

Panorama Roof Top, tops among Colombo hotels

The Colombo Municipal Council inspected all food outlets, numbering about 800, located within the city limits during the Food Safety Week declared by the Ministry of Health.

Among these food outlets 3 restaurants were selected, for maintaining excellent food with standard of hygiene and safety, and titled "Best Restuarant, Colombo" and Colombo City Hotels "Panorama Roof Top Restaurant" was one of them.

They were also awarded an 'A' Grade Certification.

The award ceremony was held recently, at the Cinnamon Grand Hotel presided by the Chief Medical Officer of Health, Dr. Pradeep Kariyawasam.

Colombo City Hotels Panorama Roof Top Restaurant, which is centrally located opposite the World Trade Centre in Fort, is a very popular among both the Sri Lankan and the expatriate clientele.

One can relax in the "open to the sky terrace" and enjoy a sumptuous meal prepared by the chef or a beverage at a very reasonable price.

The Colombo City Hotel's Panorama Restaurant richly deserves the "A Grade " Certification.
 

Grand Hotel mixes traditional christmas cake

Once the adored private residence of the Governor, Sir Edward Barnes, internationally acclaimed Grand Hotel held its annual Christmas Cake Mixing ceremony for the 117 consecutive year. Maintenance Executive S. Anbalagan, Front Office Manager R. Muthuramesh, Restaurant and Bar Manager K. Santiago, Executive Housekeeper T. B. Simms, Assistant Manager/Chief Accountant Naseem Mohamed Resident Manager Raju N. Veerasinham, General Manager Palaka Perera, Managing Director Gerard Ondaatjie, Executive Chef N. M. Khalid, Sous chef and the Kitchen Brigade A. A. Gunaratne at the ceremony.