Travel

Surfers throng Hikkaduwa

Hikkaduwa, largely dependent on tourism with hotels, small and medium enterprises, fisheries and other indirect forms of employment making up the local economy, has fought severe odds to regain its position as one of Sri Lanka’s most exciting beach spots for international tourists

The once dark memories of the devastating 2004 tsunami have now diminished or wiped away completely in Hikkaduwa. This is with the gradual return of tourists to the country sparking off hopes for a greater revival in the tourism industry.

The return of Japanese Pro-Surfers Association (JPSA) to Hikkaduwa, after a five-year absence, is evident of the town’s attraction and renewed interest among tourists to Sri Lanka.

This event which is to be an annual fixture, was jointly sponsored by SriLankan Airlines and the Tourism Promotion Bureau.

Pooja Bhatt to shoot in Sri Lanka

The Sri Lanka Convention Bureau had discussions with Pooja Bhatt who is currently touring in Sri Lanka to promote Sri Lanka as a film location for Indian movies.

‘This is quite encouraging’ said the Convention Bureau. General Manager Vipula Wanigasekera Having Sri Lanka as a venue for parts of full movie shots will boost publicity among Indian people particularly those who are outside India with very high spending power. Pooja has already assured us that her next movie will be shot in Sri Lanka for which SLCB will provide whatever support possible,” he said.

‘Since India is our primary market for meetings and events, our focus now is to reach out to up-scale visitors for which this exercise of encouraging film directors to shoot in Sri Lanka will certainly help us immensely, said Wanigasekera.

Actress turned film Director, Pooja Bhatt acted in many films produced and directed by her father Mahesh Bhatt. Making her debut at age 17, in 1989 with the movie ‘Daddy,’ she made her mark in the hit ‘Dil Hai Ke Manta Nahin’ in 1991 for which Pooja received the Filmfare Best Female Debut Award.

Some of her other most well known films are Sadak (1991), Junoon (1992), Tamanna (1996), Border (1997), Zakhm (1998) and Chaahat (1996) where she starred alongside Indian stars Shahrukh Khan, Naseeruddin Shah and Anupam Kher.

Singapore delegation

Three leading MICE operators from Singapore shared their experience and offered business tips to Sri Lankan counterparts.

Following the initial awareness campaign in Singapore and Malaysia with direct partnership with SriLankan Airlines, three leading Singaporian MICE operators ( Meetings, Incentives, conferences and Exhibitions) were hosted by Sri Lanka Convention Bureau (SLCB), SriLankan Airlines and Jetwing Travels with a round tour in Sri Lanka.

The three Singaporean Companies were represented by Bryan Tan ( Tour Asia(S) PTE Ltd), Eric Low (Sino - America Tours Corporation PTE Ltd), Berry Ting (Air Sino - Euro Associates Travel PTE Ltd). In spite of the ending of the conflict last year, the level of awareness in the far east is somewhat low, hence the necessity to offer FAM tours starting from this group, SLCB GM Vipula Wanigasekera said.

Following their round trip, the three-member group was introduced to Sri Lankan DMCs where they were educated of the Government’s development plan and future strategy which includes promoting emerging markets including Singapore.

The Singaporean delegation, in addition to establishing contacts with local partners, also provided preferences of Singaporean travellers and ideal locations and programs that will ideally fit into their travel choices.