WTO to hold avian influenza briefing at ITB

BIRD FLU: The World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) will use the world's largest travel fair ITB Berlin next week to hold its first in a series of briefings on avian influenza and preparedness planning, WTO relese said.

WTO Secretary-General Francesco Frangialli and his Special Advisor Geoffrey Lipman will be joined by the heads of major travel organizations including David McMillan, IH&RA, Peter de Jong, PATA and Martin Brackenberry, IFTO.

A video overview from UN System Influenza Coordinator David Nabarro will start the event. The one-hour briefing commencing at 9.15 a.m. in the ICC will focus on action by the international community, coordinated under the auspices of the UN, to respond to the current outbreaks of avian influenza, the very limited implications for tourism to date and the plans being initiated to minimize impacts in the future.

The goals are both to inform stakeholders of the importance of preparedness and to begin a process of extending the information and response network.

The briefing will also pay special attention to the situation and needs of the poorest countries and will lead in to UNWTO's ST-EP Forum, which has become a traditional event at the ITB.

"The issue of avian influenza and the possibility of mutation of the virus to a human influenza is out there now and we should focus on it in a measuered and rational way" stressed Lipman "So far its impact on tourism has been minimal, but we need to prepare for all eventualities.

There is a need for efficient sharing of information and preparation. Tourism is a vast dynamic global network. We have to play our part in the international community response while minimizing the disruption to travel, which is at the heart of economic growth and development."

-----------------------------

Golden Sun refurbished with new attractions

Refurbishment: The Golden Sun Resort Management has invested Rs. 48 million to refurbish the entire hotel and also a construct a new beach restaurant.

All 100 rooms of the hotel have been redone with new interior and amenities. The hotel was partly affected by the tsunami and this was the reason the management decided to re do the hotel General Manager Golden Sun, Upul Gamage said.

"We wanted to raise one step higher after the tsunami and this was the main reason behind the refurbishment," he said. Operational profits were re-utilised for the investment.

He said that though the hotel has been upgraded they would not be increasing their rates. "What we want is more numbers," he said.

He said that their wedding and conference market is growing and Golden Sun was the first hotel in the area to offer conference facilities. "Over 20 percent of our revenue is from the conference market," he said.

Gamage said that they have a year-to-year average occupancy of around 40 percent and this year it would increase. "Though the Indian and the Chinese market has not developed very well we are also looking at opportunities in that area," he said.

One on the other attractions of the hotel is their roof top Nalanda ayurveda pavilion. "We offer refreshing treatment and there is a steady repeater clientele for this center," he said. The new restaurant, Verandah will be serving seafood. In addition there are two spacious restaurants to provide a more variety in cuisine.

Gamage who is also an active member of the Kalautara Hotelier's Association said that they have redeveloped their website and tsunami warning can be immediately issued from it. "This keeps a close tab on earthquakes around the word," he said.

(SS)

-----------------------------

Minister of the Netherlands meets Governor of the Southern Province

Galle: Minister for European Affairs - Netherlands, Atzo Nicolai met with the Governor of the Southern Province Kingsley T. Wickramaratne to finalise the joint cooperation agreement between Sri Lanka and the Netherlands for the revitalizing of the Dutch Fort in Galle, which is a world heritage site declared by the UN, US$ 80 million has been allocated by the Government of the Netherlands and the European Commission for the restoration of the Dutch Fort Galle.

Under this program Galle Fort would be redeveloped as a major tourist attraction for both local and foreign tourists.

Accompanying the Minister Atzo Nicolai were the Dutch Ambassador R.S. Van Dijk, Jean Pierre Kempenseers, Herman Quarters van Ufford, Mrs. Quirine Tirmmerman and Hettipathirana, Senior Advisor on Cultural Affairs to the Embassy.

Associated with the Governor Kingsley Wickramaratne in the discussions and meetings were the Minister of Cultural Affairs Mahinda Yapa Abeywardene, the Chief Minister Shan Wijeyalal de Silva, the Provincial Council Minister A.G.C. Piyasiri, Ashley de Vos, Town Planner for the Greater Galle City projected and other officials.

The Minister for European Affairs Atzo Nicolai and the delegation from the Netherlands visited the INGRIM knowledge centre that was established last year by Governor Kingsley T. Wickramaratne and funded by the INGRIM Foundation for International Cooperation in Printing and Graphics, Netherlands.

300 children from tsunami-affected families were awarded scholarships to study the newest technology in IT at the INGRIM Institute, Labuduwa, Galle.

-----------------------------

Hotel Information systems core launched

IT: Hotel Information Systems Asia Pte Ltd, an innovative provider of enterprise solutions strategically designed for the worldwide hospitality and leisure industry, today announced the launch of its enterprise solution Hotel Information Systems core at a cocktail reception in Sri Lanka.

core is a comprehensive suite of internet native, browser delivered software applications developed by Hotel Information Systems comprised tools for Property Management, Corporate Management, Distribution Channel Management, Central Reservations, and Reservation Portal.

The suite of solutions is designed specifically to enable hoteliers to centralize multi-property operations, improve guest loyalty, increase profitability and improve revenue management

"Our goal is to provide hotel organizations with the range of applications that will allow them to optimize their operation and provide them with valuable actionable information on a real time basis. Our software allows our users enormous flexibility in deployment and a long term lower cost of ownership," said Harbans Singh, President of Hotel Information System Asia Pte Ltd.

Hotel Information Systems, Inc is a wholly owned subsidiary of MAI Systems Corporation (OTCBB: MAIY.OB) Hotel Information Systems provides total enterprise management solutions, improving critical operations and profitability for global hotel organizations.

More information could be obtained from their web site www.hotelinfosys.com.

---------------------------------

New head of marketing for Jetwing

APPOINMENT: Sanjiva Gautamadasa has been appointed as the new Head of Marketing at Jetwing with effect from April 2006.

He joined Jetwing as the Assistant Manager of Lighthouse Hotel and Spa in July 1997 and subsequently was promoted as the General Manager.

He has obtained the Diploma in Hotel Management at Oberoi School of Hotel Management, New Delhi, India. Gautamadasa draws his experience by working in five star city hotels both locally as well as overseas. His experience within the trade spans over twenty years.