Travel
London cabs to promote Lanka
A Sri Lankan promotional taxi near the famous London Eye
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The London Branch of the Sri Lanka Tourism Promotion Bureau activated
a campaign under the rebranding exercise at key destinations world over,
where 27 taxi cabs were branded with images depicting Sri Lanka.
The creative execution depicts the new branding that will advertise
the resplendent isle throughout the world.
This campaign was facilitated by Cabvert, the company which is
promoting its own brand of Cabvertising, which includes the utilization
of the exterior as well as interior of cabs.
Previous research suggests that on average 152 people per day travel
in a taxi cab, and one can conclude that for every passenger travelling
in each cab, the cab is viewed at least 250 times more, said Director,
UK and Ireland, of the Sri Lanka Tourism Promotion Bureau, Sanjika
Perera.
Taxi advertisements are easier to read because they are eye-level, he
added. Based on the above figures each cab will carry an average of
54,112 passengers per year giving the opportunity to have direct access
to a captive audience and thus promote Sri Lanka, with a highly personal
touch.
In addition to branding the cabs, Sri Lanka Tourism had an
information session with the drivers enabling them to discuss the
destination with passengers.
This gives a favourable advantage as research indicates that over 85%
of the population speaks to the taxi driver on a journey.
Creating the demand for the destination is the need of the hour and
such campaigns are considered to be of high impact, but low cost. The
new strategy is to increase the demand and awareness for the destination
and there are several plans to launch innovative advertising campaigns
in the key markets, in the near future.
Laugfs to consolidate on tourism
Temple Tree Resort at Induruwa |
Couple dining on the hotel beach |
Tourism, the largest industry in the world will play a major role in
the local economy and Laugfs management would make further inroads to
the industry.
Director/CEO, Laugfs Leisure Limited, Harsha Gamage said that they
saw the potential in the industry and took over the management of Temple
Tree Resorts Induruwa at the end of last year.
“This is our second investment in the industry and presently we are
building a boutique hotel in Panama, Puttalam,” he said. Laugfs is in
the service industry and had already made investment in three
restaurants in Jubilee Post, Maharagama and Negombo.
The Temple Tree hotel was built with an investment of over Rs. 300
million in 2007 by a Sri Lankan, now living in Germany as a designer
boutique hotel.
He said that with the peace on the horizon there would be more
arrivals and the country needs additional rooms to accommodate them. “We
are also targeting the high spending clientele,” he said.
The Temple Tree Hotel offers nine large rooms and the Araliya suite
with cable TV, LCD TV, DVD, mainly targeting the up market clientele who
prefer privacy and luxury.
“The personalized services of the Chef would personally take the meal
order and the Spa facility which are major attractions of the hotel,” he
said.
“We would also introduce additional facilities to the Spa as there is
a demand from local and foreign clientele.”
The hotel is already popular among embassy staff and long stay
Europeans and in a bid to attract the local market is offering special
packages until the end of April.
“We are entering in to Email marketing and property is also marketed
through the Laugfs Super market in Havelock Town for Sri Lankans,” he
added. The hotel is also gaining popularity as a honey moon destination
both locally and internationally.
The property was first marketed at the World Tourism Market last
November in London.
The architect of the hotel who also designed ‘The beach’ Negombo and
‘Tropical Villas’ Aluthgama said that one of the unique features of this
hotel is the additional luxury that had been craved in.
“Open concept, peace and privacy are hall markets of the property.
From all points of the room gusts could see the Indian Ocean and there
is space to unwind in the room,” he said.
- SS
Chinese Chef for Airport Garden
Airport Garden Hotel (AGH) has employed a Chinese Chef, flown in from
Shchuan Province, China for the Chinese New Year celebrations.
Chef Y. Xiyuon |
General Manager of the Hotel, Thomas Mather said that the chef will
prepare authentic Chinese food at their Golden Dragon restaurant for the
guests specially employed in the Export Processing Zone (FTZ) in
Katunayake.
He said that Chef, Y. Xiyuon has also installed Chinese lanterns at
the restaurant and special lighting to brighten the atmosphere. “In
addition to Chinese nationals in the FTZ the event is also attracting
Sri Lankan clients,” he said.
“Manchurian, Sizzling prawn, Singapore Chinese fried rice, and double
fried pork, crispy lamb and noodles introduced by the Chinese the world
over are some of the much sought after Chinese dishes from both Chinese
and Sri Lankans” he said. “Colour, aroma and flavour are not only the
key elements of our cuisines. Nutrition too is also a priority.
These foods are made with traditional ingredients such as bamboo
shoots, bean sprouts, water chestnuts, Chinese cabbage, black mushroom,
button and straw mushrooms.
Celebrated in areas with a large population of ethnic Chinese, the
Chinese New Year is considered a major holiday for the Chinese, and has
had an influence on the new year celebrations of its geographic
neighbours, as cultures with whom the Chinese have had extensive
interaction.
The New Year celebrations at the Golden Dragon restaurant will
continue till February 15.
- LE
Emirates special fares
The Presidential Awards Ceremony for Travel and Tourism was held
at the BMICH, recently where Siddhalepa Ayurveda Health Resort-
Wadduwa won the Best Award for Ayurveda Tourism in Sri Lanka.
Here the Prime Minister Ratnasiri Wickramanayaka presenting the
Award to the Chairman of Hettigoda Group of Companies Dr. Victor
Hettigoda. Tourism Minister Milinda Moragoda and Arjuna
Ranatunga were also present.
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Dubai based international airline has unveiled special fares to eight
destinations in North America, Europe and Asia making travel instantly
more affordable for Lankan passengers.
The destinations covered by these special fares which are valid till
March 31, are Los Angeles, San Francisco, New York, Houston, Toronto,
London, Milan and Singapore.
“These are timely value-for-money offers that enable travellers to
experience Emirates services to some of the most popular destinations
for travellers out of Sri Lanka,” said Emirate’s Sales Manager Devika
Ellepola. “Our customers continue to book with us not only because we
offer competitive airfares but also because we offer a large
international network, convenient connections and an award-winning, high
quality service.”
She said all travel on these special fares would also accrue Skywards
Miles from the airline’s frequent flyer program, adding more value to
the offer. Emirates passengers would be offered more packages. To be
eligible for these offers, reservations and ticketing must be completed
by February 28. |