Biz-Bud
Achieving positive results:
Opportunities a blessing in disguise for businessmen
Ramani KANGARAARACHCHI
Opportunities are a blessing in disguise for businessmen. It provides
immense encouragement and motivation to any person in any field to
achieve positive results.
|
Nihal Perera |
However, one must always exercise these opportunities in a balanced
manner to become a successful entrepreneur.
People in the travel and tourism industry get many opportunities.
Managing Director, Sparklink Travel (Pvt) Ltd, Nihal C. Perera an
entrepreneur in this industry has an excellent track record in the field
of travel, tourism and hospitality industry. He achieved several
significant milestones through opportunities exercised in a balanced
manner.
Higher studies
He was interviewed by Daily News Business.
Perera is the third child in a family of five children from Colombo.
He had his education at St Joseph's College, Colombo 10 up to
Advanced Levels and proceeded to UK for higher studies. He obtained a
Management Degree while working part-time for a reputed construction
company.
"One of my uncle's very kindly helped me to do my higher studies and
I returned to the country after completing the degree and joined the
private sector in 1960, he said. After six years in the private sector I
joined the Tourist Board as an Assistant Director. It was very
satisfying and I established my career in the sector," he said.
In days gone by, not more than 50 people went abroad monthly and
therefore it was not easy to encourage entrepreneurs. The interest was
mainly in the plantation sector, so I used to make people conscious of
tourism. Most of them are doing very well in this industry today and it
gives me great satisfaction, he said.
After 12 years of service Perera resigned from the Ceylon Tourist
Board and set up a small company of his own in 1979 with an investment
of Rs. 60,000 at Dharmapala Mawatha, Colombo 5. In 1987 he purchased a
land through a bank loan at the present place.
Business grows
"As a result of my previous experience I had a good network with all
airlines and close links with China. I provided a high quality service
to all my clients. "My motto is come as a client and leave as a friend,
and humanity is my policy," he said.
The business grew over 30 years very well as a specialized travel and
tourism services and inbound travel agency under the banner of Sparklink
Holidays and Tours.
It won the "Champion of Champion" award from Singapore Airlines for
three consecutive years and several other awards too. Sparklink is an
IATA Agent too. The
|
A ticketing officer issues a ticket to a customer. Pix by
Sumanachandra Ariyawansa |
company became one the market leaders in outbound
travel and it specializes in catering to the requirements of corporate
sector clients.
Asked about the difficulties he faced, he said that finance was the
only problem but the profits of the business were reinvested in the
business and I resolved the problems gradually.
Key appointments
Asked about the secret behind his success, he said that his wife was
a tower of strength. A project by Skanska in Sri Lanka provided a lot of
business.
Even in difficult times we managed to survive. I never wasted money
and did not misuse opportunities. Even the invitations I accepted very
carefully.
"I worked very hard and got many opportunities to go abroad several
times and undergo various management and tourism development training
programs. Once I was awarded a UN Fellowship for Training and
Development and planning tourism for three months where I got the
opportunity to visit Spain, Mexico, Honolulu, Fiji, Italy and Indonesia
studying development and planning.
Some of the key appointments I held as the Director publicity at the
tourist board were President IATA Agents Association of Sri Lanka,
President of the Norway Sri Lanka Society, Board member of the Sri Lanka
China Society and Deputy President Belgium and Sri Lanka, and Board
member, Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority.
This experience helped me tremendously in the business, I never
expected leadership but it came to me and I am proud of it at a time we
are celebrating 30 years in business. He has a dedicated staff of 25
today.
His future plan is to continue to be in the business with his son who
is also a Director and sustain the stability in the travel and tourism
industry.
As the protracted war in the country has come to an end the industry
will flourish in the near future He hopes to further strengthen the
close relationship he has with China. |
