Travel

Arugam Bay hosts Sri Lanka surf championship

The Sri Lanka Surf Championship was held from July 1-4, for the third time in Arugam Bay (Pottuvil), Sri Lanka. Following the successful completion of this event, the UK travel advisory has been relaxed for travelling to Arugam Bay. This competition was initiated by Crystal Holidays (Pvt) Ltd, sponsored by Sri Lanka Tourism Promotion Bureau (SLTPB) and Sri Lankan airlines and officiated by UK Pro Surf Association (UKPSA).

Being the first international event after the civil war this brought in more than 60 surfers from UK, South Africa and Australia (including some of the best in the world) supported by the local community which hosted a local event on the first day under UK judges.

More than 30 surfers from Hikkaduwa, Unawatuna and Arugam Bay participated in the local event. There was a shortage of rooms in the Arugam Bay area during this period. Despite various obstacles faced by the organizers, the Sri Lanka Special Task Force ensured the event ran smoothly.

The Ministry of Tourism, Ministry of Defence - Public Security - Law and Order, Coast Conservation Department, Ministry of Public Administration and Home Affairs, Pottuvil Pradeshiya Sabha and Sri Lanka Police also extended their support towards this objective.

The winner of this year's competition was Richie Sills of South Africa while Alan Stokes (Newquay), Mark Harris (Newquay) and Sam Lamroy (Newcastle) achieved second, third and fourth places. W. L. U. Asanka Sanjeeva of Arugam Bay was selected as the local champion.

Chairman, Tharunyata Hetak Namal Rajapaksa was the chief guest at the prize giving ceremony and presented the champion trophy. Tourism Deputy Minister Faizer Mustapha also participated.

Aitken Spence rejuvenates Neptune Resort

Ayurveda ashrams and yoga meditation are now part of Aitken Spence Hotels' refurbishment program for Neptune Hotel in Beruwala.

When the property opens its doors as 'Heritance Mahagedera', it will be the latest 40 to 60 room wellness resort in the groups' prestigious Heritance portfolio. Managing Director, Aitken Spence Hotels, Malin Hapugoda, said ayurveda, yoga and meditation will be the priorities of the refurbishment that is scheduled to commence shortly.

"Ayurveda is a science of life that has been practised in Sri Lanka for thousands of years. It is central to our cultural inheritance. 'Heritance Mahagedera' will specialize in providing the inner and outer rejuvenation that ayurveda, yoga and meditation, combined with Heritance Cuisine, can provide," he said.

Heritance Cuisine is unique to the Heritance brand and is based on a three fold foundation of taste, medicinal value, and presentation adapted to an "ayurveda way of life" at 'Heritance Mahagedera'.

But rejuvenation is only one, if not the most substantial, part of the refurbishment of the hotel.

The project will also see the rooms redecorated with new soft furnishings, bathrooms and superior bedding configurations. Executive specifications will include luxury of space and a choice of air-conditioning or otherwise.

"This planned refurbishment will allow us to bring the hotel into the Twenty First century, offering the same high standards of quality and comfort to satisfy today's traveller, while being aesthetically and spiritually Sri Lankan.

We also believe the time is opportune for the refurbishment and as the new property opens its doors as a Heritance, it will be to an economy in upswing", he said.

SLAITO an impetus tourism industry

Marketing oriented membership:

The Sri Lanka Association of Inbound Travel Operators (SLAITO) is poised to add more value and further impetus into the tourism industry by positioning it as a preferred destination.

SLITO has been a significant and positive contributor to an industry that has suffered considerably during the last two decades due to instability and an escalating conflict.

Tourism is currently the fourth largest foreign exchange contributor to Sri Lanka's GDP. As the apex body of all inbound tour operators in the country, SLAITO's membership comprises of most inbound tourism organisations accredited by the Sri Lanka Tourism Authority.

At a media briefing held recently, President Chandra Wickremasinghe said that SLAITO's objective is to present Sri Lanka's tourism product with one voice, one message and one direction. "Our committee, has ensured that the industry remains sustainable even during very trying times." He said, some of our key responsibilities are:

To help develop professional tour organisations.

- To support and increase marketing activities of SLTPB, and to sustain the authenticity of the treasures.

- Negotiate with the Government for better services and facilities for the members

- To provide better facilities for members.

- Co-ordinate with Sri Lankan airlines and other airlines for promotions for members.

- To strengthen its relations with Government organizations.

- To identify new market trends and opportunities.

- Regular meetings with foreign embassies on current situation and tourism promotions.

Regular meetings with the Sri Lanka Institute of National Guide Lectures, Chauffeur Tourist Guide Lectures Association of Sri Lanka, Association of Tourist Transport Operators.

"Our role within the industry is most often unknown," said Immediate Past President Dirk Grigson. "It is SLAITO which is the catalyst within the industry brings every single facet of a packaged vacation.

Their services which includes all ground handling arrangements such as tour advice services, planning itineraries, guide services, transportation, visit to places of interest, recommendation of various hotels, villas for classical tours, wild life, soft adventure, (inland/water based) or even planning of incentives and conferences.

Our membership consisting of about 95 organisations, has spurred the association to embark on numerous training and development program in a number of areas such as training of guides, language and IT competencies, customer care.

In addition, our members provide an ongoing basis internship programs as well as employment to tourism graduates from the Sabaragamuwa University. Vice President T.M.F. Packeer said that SLAITO's sustainability principals must also be emphasized.

"From an economic perspective, tangibly and intangibly, our membership has contributed towards the industry and through the considerable VAT payments, into the national treasury as well.

Our membership's efforts at promoting the destination, with continuously effective marketing campaigns and presence abroad, the massive foreign exchange contribution and the value addition to the industry is commendable.

Similarly, socially we have spurred the development of small and medium entrepreneurs in a variety of related value added industries, infused training and development to uplift industry standards, gained licensing privileges for those requiring licences, encouraged our membership to institute environmental best practices and enhanced employment prospects especially for youth.

Given that the products we market are diverse, from the traditional sun, sea, sand product to everything from nature, adventure, religious, cultural and therapeutic tourism, we are also encouraging our membership to embark on CSR projects that would garner the ownership of all stakeholders, including the guest.

There is a wide social consciousness among the traveller now and it is imperative that we use this to create another dimension to the product as well."

Hilton Colombo chosen Expedia Insiders' Select Hotel

One of the world's top properties:

Hilton Colombo was chosen one of the world's top one percent of hotels by Expedia Insiders' Select 2009.

The 384 room property and one of the leading hotel brands in the world is the only hotel in Sri Lanka to receive this title based on thousands of hotel reviews submitted by Expedia travellers.

The Expedia Insiders' Select list is an annual award recognizing the very best hotels, as judged by the experiences of Expedias' customers.

The Hilton Colombo has been identified as consistently delivering superior services, an exceptional guest experience and notable value.

As one of the world's leading online travel companies, Expedia has Asia local market destination expertise and insights that come directly from their global customers.

General Manager Hilton Colombo, Jerome Auvity said "The team and I are honoured to receive yet another valuable award for the personalized and consistent service we offer to all our guests.

From the very moment a guest walks in to the hotel guests could feel the true Sri Lankan hospitality everywhere".

Apart from the many awards Hilton Colombo has won, the recent was the Asia Pacific Regional Hilton Brand Award Hotel and the Worldwide Hilton Brand Award hotel for 2007 and this year, the Hilton F&B Award of Excellence for Asia Pacific.

SLINT GL awards presentation

The 41st AGM of the Sri Lanka Institute of National Tourist Guide Lecturers was held at the Institute Headquarters under the Chairmanship of Joe Livera. The same members of the Board were re-elected unanimously including the Chairman. Former Chairman of the Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority Renton de Alwis was the Chief Guest.

The Chairman of the Silk Gardens, Kandy Aloysius Pillai was the guest of honour.