LEISURE

Cinnamon Grand featured in stamp

Cinnamon Grand Colombo added another initiative to its growing portfolio of 'trendsetting firsts' by becoming the first hotel in Sri Lanka to launch a first day cover marking World Tourism Day.

The stamp depicting an image of the hotel's very own village in the City was a tribute to Sri Lanka's rich Culture and heritage.

The first day cover of this 30mm x 30mm Rs 5 stamp designed by the hotel, falls into the personalised category of stamps. The chief guest on this occasion was Economic Development Minister Basil Rajapaksa. A pioneering entrant into the Tourism Hall of Fame, Cinnamon Grand launched Nuga Gama using the central theme of the 200 year old banyan tree within its property, showcasing all the dynamics of a rural hamlet complimented with authentic architecture, endemic cuisine, traditional customs, entertainmentand even indigenous handicrafts sourced from village craftsmen.

The Fortress wins global award

The Fortress Resort and Spa Koggala was again thrust into the global spotlight when it won a brace of trophies at the coveted World Luxury Hotel Awards 2011 held in Croatia last week which included the accolade for world's Best Luxury Coastal Hotel.

It also walked away with the premier Luxury Coastal Hotel in Sri Lanka award at the event.

The fiercely-contested prizes were received on behalf of The Fortress by its General Manager Jan van Twest at the glamorous red-carpet gala held at the Regent Esplanade Zagreb Hotel which paid host to an ensemble of guests from the international hotel industry.

Established in 2006, the WLHA are viewed by many as the world's most prestigious awards in-so-far as only exceptional hotels, lodges and resorts operating within a luxury niche market are allowed to participate. Award winners within its various categories are deemed to be setting the benchmark in terms of their world class facilities and service excellence and they act as a stamp of confidence and assurance within what is an increasingly competitive global market.

The Fortress Managing Director Sumith Adhihetty said the international recognition for the Fortress Resort reinforces the Sri Lankan luxury sector as amongst the best in the world.

"We are profoundly honoured to receive these awards - especially considering The Fortress is still relatively young. It confirms our ongoing and passionate response to the demands of our evolving clientele, he said.

This was a reference to The Fortress other recent initiatives, the first being the launch of a Butler Service which saw a batch of 15 internationally-trained butlers placed on the service menu following a gruelling four week programme held by the Australian Butler School.

The second saw nearby Koggala Lake effectively transformed into a landing spot for the Sri Lankan Air Taxi Service through whom The Fortress has arranged exclusive flights on behalf of its guests.

"It is also a wonderful recognition for our dedicated team of hospitality professionals, who are providing a world class service. Sri Lankan-style," Adhihetty said.

Jetwing Lagoon youth development project

A dream that came true at Jetwing Vil Uyana 5 years ago has now come alive once more, this time at the upcoming Jetwing Lagoon. Bringing the success in Sigiriya to the birthplace of Jetwing in Negombo, the Jetwing Youth Development Project (JYDP) held its inauguration on September 23.

A novel initiative which has found sustenance through its massive contribution into the society and communities around, this iteration of JYDP follows the same guidelines as its predecessor: a comprehensive course of English skills, personal grooming and hygiene, as well as hoteliering skills.

Jetwing Chairman Hiran Cooray stated, "We founded JYDP in order to address the growing concern of youth unemployment, purely due to their lack of educational or technical requirements. The course is structured so as to give these youth the tools they need, as they are quite talented and hardworking. It is our responsibility to help them create their future; as theirs moulds the future of our very own country".

"It is quite fitting that we conduct the project during the construction of Jetwing Lagoon, formerly known as the Blue Lagoon by Geoffrey Bawa, which also possesses the unique distinction of being his and Sri Lanka's first resort. Our reimagining of the property has been in line with his original design, and we hope at its completion will be a source of new opportunity to the surrounding community," he said.

A total of 60 youth will be participating, all of who are unemployed and between the ages of 18 to 25, from traditional trade families such as farming and fishing.

With the aims of JYDP to provide new avenues for such youth to pursue, and the overwhelming success it generates (as in the case at Jetwing Vil Uyana, where all participants passed and most recruited into the staff cadre upon completion, with others finding gainful employment in the industry); the Project in Negombo is held with the blessings of the families, the religious and community leaders. Tuition in English will be conducted by a renowned tutor from the area, after which skills relating to basic hospitality, such as front office, housekeeping, restaurant and bar service and cookery, which will be conducted by Jetwing's own training and development managers.