Travel

Increase of Sri Lankan travellers to Thailand - says TAT

Text and pix by Athapattu BANDARA in Thailand

Thailand Tourism Authority (TAT) is delighted to have more Sri Lankans travelling to Thailand this year for leisure, business and on pilgrimage, TAT Assistant Director Suladda Sarutilavan said.

"We are now heading fast towards the tourist season. This is the time business gears up for the busy months ahead. New deals are finalized, packages are promoted and new products are launched, all in an effort to capture the influx of tourists.

As Sri Lankan economy is growing by leaps and bounds after the war, Sri Lankans confined only to local trips has the opportunity to explore into international travel as well, and Thailand could be one good destination. Most find India as the best pilgrim rest. Thailand and Sri Lanka known as pioneers in Buddhist culture could join hands in improving tourist arrivals both ways.

Sri Lankan economy showing signs of improving rapidly with the end of the post war TAT takes this opportunity in inviting Lankans to visit Thailand and make it their destination for shopping, pilgrimages and business.

"Several promotional campaigns by print and electronic media has justified the importance of travelling to Thailand as the country is religiously linked and culturally equal, she added.

TAT can help travel agents connect with Thai tourist businesses, whether they are hotels, tour operators, theme parks, or shopping venues. Our extensive database and expert advice ensure that you will find the right partner to take your business forward and, ultimately, provide total satisfaction to your valued clients. "Come talk to us because we are here for you," she invited.Cathay Pacific Airways flies three times a week to Bangkok from Colombo Sri Lanka

JVD to launch world's first biometric safe today

The world's first commercially viable biometric safe, the JVD Fortes Model will be launched for the first time in the world at Hotel Show, which would begin today at the BMICH.

Manufactured in France, the JVD Fortes Model has been designed and constructed to meet high expectations of the hotel industry.

The World President of JVD FRANCE, Jacques De Vasselot and Jude Foo, Business Development Manager, Technologies Asia Pte Ltd., from JVD, would be participating at the launch, while French Ambassador, Ms Herve'Mascarau and Head of Economic and Commercial sections of the French Embassy, Consular, Jean-Louis Poli, too would attend the event. In addition, the University of North Dakota USA, Multi-Cultural Center Director, Malika Carter will participate in the show to develop international relations as a special project.

Country Director, JVD, Sri Lanka and Sri Lanka, Asoka Fonseka said that Paris model Miss M. Sofia also would grace the occasion and introduce new products to the market. In addition, several regional marketing leaders too would be attending the event.

Fonseka who was also the Managing Director for Heli Associates International, Pvt ltd, said that with the ending of the war, the travel sector has been experiencing a major boom and new hotels were being built, while existing hotels were being refurbished.

This has created new opportunities and our foreign principals too are paying more attention to the SriLankan market," he said.

Fonseka said that travel shows of this nature, would help find partners to consolidate our business.

After the participation at the Hotel Show in the Maldives, Universal Group Resorts, Shangril-la, Four Seasons, Shereton, Hilton, Anantara, Hyatts, Lux Resorts and Spas, Banyan Tree, Jumeirah Group Resorts, Addaran Aitken Spence Resorts, Keells Resorts and Spas and Alila, Fullmoon and Lily were now using our products, he said.

Today both in Sri Lanka and the Maldives,we have more than 100 clients from hotels and resorts. We are now targeting 5o more resorts and hotels during the next financial year.

Commenting on the Sri Lankan market, he said that they have more than 50% market shares. We work with all main chain hotels, resorts and luxury hotels which include John Keells, Aitken Spence, Jetwings, Confifi Groups and several new boutique hotels. More details could be obtained from www.jvd.com.sg