SLTB to build 400 houses

by Shirajiv Sirimane in Germany

Berlin: Chairman Tourist Board Udaya Nanayakkara said that the SLTB has decided to build 400 houses in the 15 tourism regions. They have already started this project from Unawatuna by building 56 houses. The SLTB would be working with the Urban Development Authority and the PAFRAL in this regard.

Speaking to the 'Daily News' at the closing ceremony of the world's largest Travel exhibition ITB in Berlin he said that this project would be funded by international donors and already the Mayor of Champagne province in France who was in Sri Lanka recently has agreed to fund the Unawatuna project.

The SLTB has earned Rs. 289 million for the 2004 from the Tourism Development levy, which was introduced in September 2003. Over 70 percent of this was generated from the hotel sector.

A sum of Rs. 138 million was spent on promotions, road shows while Rs. 33 million was invested for the 2003, ITB.

The Tourism industry generated over US$ 416 million last year with a record number of 566,202 arrivals last year. The Chairman said though the first quarter arrival figures are not very impressive they will top the 600, 000 arrival mark by the end of the year.

SLTB is investing on more promotions in Asia, as this has been a good emerging market especially in India, China and the Far East. "However though the arrival figures would increase there may be a slight overall drop in revenue this year," he said.

Nanayakkara said that they already found one investor for their proposed Kalpitiya up market tourist development project in Berlin for which the Cabinet has given the green light.

"This investor is keen on building a four star 400 room hotel in Kalpitiya and he would send a team to Colombo next month," he said.

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Over Rs. 4 m distributed among Confifi employees

by Anjana Gamage

A total of 4.32 million rupees were distributed among nearly 100 employees of all four Confifi group hotels, Eden Resort and Spa, Riverina, Club Palm Garden and Confifi Beach Hotel, whose lives were affected by the tsunami.

All four hotels suffered damage and two of their employees lost their lives, some lost their loved ones, whilst most of them lost all their valuables.

The Confifi Management services set up a fund to collect money to help rebuild their lives in the reconstruction of the damaged houses. The contributions were made to the fund by well wishers and guests. The donations were distributed among the affected employees at a ceremony held at the Eden Resort and Spa last Sunday.

Managing Director of Confifi group Hotels, Stephen Furkhan said that they realized that apart from the damages to their hotels, many staff members and their families were affected. "We therefore decided to initiate a common fund to enable donors to send their contribution and thus the Confifi Tsunami Relief Fund was established at Deutsche Bank, Colombo," he said.

"All staff members and their families were provided with free medical check ups, medicine and inoculation against risk of further disease at an ongoing health camp organised by the company. The local community in the surrounding areas too benefited immensely through a medical camp that was conducted by the group," he said.

Chairman of the Confifi group hotels, M.T.A. Furkhan said that human capital is the greatest asset the company has within. " We are sad that we have lost two employees and injured several others. However we had a very high occupancy at that day. There were more than 2800 guests in the all four hotels. Of it only four people were died. Out of it two foreigners who died due to sudden heart attacks," he said.

Meanwhile with the long spell of holidays fast approaching, the Eden Resort and Spa is organising a range of entertainment and array of goodies to keep you 'full-filled'.

The avurudu celebrations will commence from April 12 to 17 with items such as, 'Avurudu Kavili Show', 'Avurudu Bhojanaya' traditional Sri Lankan buffet dinner, Sri Lankan Hi Tea at the Kopi Kade, moonlight Avurudu cocktails, Avurudu volleyball tournaments, Avurudu games, tug of war, blind fold hit and sack race, cultural shows, demonstrations and competitions of cadjan weaving and coconut scraping, avurudu naketha of boiling the milk, avurudu kumari contest, and fire work display, events.

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Jetwing wins PATA Gold Award

Jetwing Hotels won the prestigious PATA Gold Award in the Educational Program category for their entry "A Taxi Service Through the Community" Lighthouse Hotel & Spa".

The Pacific Asia Travel Association's (PATA) Gold Awards recognise exceptional achievement in a variety of endeavours, bringing acclaim to the best the regions travel industry has to offer. The winning projects set industry standards for excellence and innovation, serving as examples for others to follow.

The winning project for Jetwing Hotels, aptly named 'A Taxi Service Through the Community' is a brainchild of the Lighthouse Hotel & Spa. The objectives being to provide the hotel with taxi service requirements through the community around the hotel, to involve the youth living in the neighbourhood of the hotel in the running of this service.

"We are indeed proud and encouraged by this accomplishment, as it assures us that we are on the right track and gives us further confidence to complete the task we have started. This enables us to join hands with our fellow neighbours in providing a truly professional, efficient and friendly service to our guests," said Managing Director of Jetwing Hotels, Hiran Cooray.

Tourism is one industry where everyone is a stakeholder, thereby benefiting from its accomplishments and also being affected by its failures. Jetwing has understood this perception very well, hence working with the taxi drivers around the hotel, reiterates that we all have to work in this industry together for the benefit of all. Cooray, will attend the 54th PATA Annual Conference in Macau in April, where he will receive the award on behalf of the company.

Jetwing Hotels owns and manages, The Blue Water - Wadduwa, Hunas Falls Hotel - Kandy, St. Andrew's Hotels - Nuwara Eliya, Yala Safari Game Lodge - Yala (opening 2006), The Beach - Negombo, Ayurveda Pavilions - Negombo, Tropical Villas - Beruwala, Blue Oceanic Beach Hotel - Negombo, Vil Uyana - Sigiriya (opening 2006), Seashells Hotel - Negombo, The Beach Camp - Nilaveli (opening 2005), Sea Garden Hotel - Negombo.