Edited by Shirajiv Sirimanne

Tourist promotion through transit passengers viewed

Hathoon Sheriffdeen

PACKAGE: The transit passengers who pass Katunayake Airport intending to travel to other countries could be offered a concessionary package to visit a location that carries cultural, historical or environmental value and thereby the tourism industry could be developed to a greater extent, said Deputy Minister of Tourism Faizer Mustapha.

The newly introduced Seat In Coach can be used to popularise this idea islandwide, the Deputy Minister said, at a meeting addressing a group of hoteliers. He said that there are many passengers from various countries pass Bandaranaike Airport on their way to visit many countries. These passengers can be given a concession or a free of charge tour to an exiting location attracting them.

The Minister also asked the General Manager, SriLankan Holidays and Air taxi, Amith Sumanapala to design the tour packages for such passengers offering concessionary rates and to extend the hours of stay in Sri Lanka for at least 8 hours enabling them to visit the selected location. The average passenger in transit at Sri Lanka Airport is 5000 to 7000 per month.

It's a good idea that the Seat-in-tour is introducing cheaper packages, to promote tourism in the country.

Senior Lecturer in Tourism, University of Colombo said that the authorities must take into consideration to convince this travellers no sooner they reach the soil with affordable costs in Sri Lanka during their stay.

Exhibiting vedios and slides depicting the locations that attracts the tourists while in the sky was also discussed.

Investing on tourism in Eastern province viewed

EXPLORATION: With the liberation of the Northern Province from the Tigers, tourism promoters are exploring possibilities to open tourist resorts in the Province, with scenic beauty capturing tourist attraction.

Chairman "Elephant Corridor" and "Isle of Agnes" Prasanna W. Jayewardene is one such personnel.

"We have always believed in Sri Lanka and continue to do so and wish to fast forward a simple hotel to keep within the presidents 180 day development plan in Passikudah.

"The government chosen by the people has always won our support and we have no hesitation in supporting President Mahinda Rajapaksa and his development thrust" says Amara Galagoda spokesperson for the Tropical Group.

"Our Chairman Jayewardene with four decades of experience in the International Hotel field in 10 countries is of the opinion that the so called International community or foreigners will never have anything like the commitment or accountability a democratically chosen government has for its own people".

"We must help ourselves and know how to work with our own and marginalize those who only pay lip service with little or no responsibility for the welfare of the people of this country" she adds.

"We are small but we believe in the President's commitment and in our own people"she said.

Chaaya Hotels win international PATA Gold Awards

EXCELLENCE: Chaaya Hotels and Resorts has proven its excellence by winning two prestigious international PATA Gold Awards in the Environment/Ecotourism and the Marketing Media - CD Rom categories.

PATA, stands for The Pacific Asia Travel Association is an organisation dedicated to promoting sustainable

 tourism. They aim to recognise exceptional achievement in this sphere, and the winning projects set industry standards for excellence and innovation.

Chaaya Hotels and Resorts won a Gold Award for Marketing Media - CD Rom category for the CD which was developed to promote the Brand. This is an immense achievement for the Chaaya brand, which was launched just over one year ago.

In addition Chaaya Village Habarana was the recipient of the Gold Award in the Environment/Ecotourism category. The resort prides itself on its eco friendly practices, and for offering its guest an experience that will both enhance their knowledge.

The personality of the brand itself is built around reflecting the environment of the locations in which the hotels are situated, and this is clearly evident at Chaaya Village Habarana. The CEO of Chaaya Hotels and Resorts, Jayantissa Kehelpannala, says.

"This is a great achievement that makes us very proud, given that we were chosen from among 339 entries sent in by 132 organizations. The team effort of the staff has been commendable as always".

The PATA Gold Awards 2007 presentation ceremony will be held on the th of September 28 at the Grand Hyatt, Bali, Indonesia.

Advisory panel appointed to revive tourism industry

On an initiative taken by Tourism Minister Milinda Moragoda for the first time in the history of Sri Lanka called a large number of local professionals, volunteers and nature lovers to get on board with the ministry to develop tourism which has now grown to be an indispensable industry for the socio economic development in the country.

An Advisory Panel was set up to prepare a constructive platform for those professionals, volunteers and

 interested citizens to join hands with the Ministry to promote quality tourism.

The new tourism policy of the Government is to ensure a unified and methodical approach to develop and to make tourism a sustainable industry in Sri Lanka based on rational use of its natural, cultural, human and adventure resources. Sri Lanka tourism is accordingly committed to promote community based tourism that benefits the communities.

This advisory panel will look into matters, such as how best Sri Lanka tourism could get the support of the CBTOs, to identify the existing and future CBTO projects and what kind of assistance should be provided to those CBTO projects to enhance their contribution to the tourism industry.

The Advisory Panel had its first meeting in Colombo, in association with the Sri Lanka Tourist Board officials, recently with an intention to gather first hand information on existing CBTOs and their existing and future Community Based Tourism projects.

P. M. Leelarathne Secretary of the Ministry, Chairman of Advisory Panel Dr. D. A. C. Silva and the invitees attended the meeting.

Interested parties related tourism, NGOs who are interested in taking part in the meeting are requested to get in touch with Dr. D. A. C. Silva or Palitha Gurusinghe.

Marie Brizard Bartenders competition held

COMPETITION: The 16th Marie Brizard Bartenders Competition 2007, was held recemtly.

This internationally acclaimed competition is considered the 'stepping stone' for bartenders to gain overseas exposure and further their career opportunities.

The competition was sponsored by "Marie Brizard Liqueurs of France" who celebrated their 250th Anniversary in 2005 and is one of the oldest liquor making companies in the world.

Competition was intended to develop and improve the standards in hospitality and to increase sales and enable bartenders to reach greater international standards.

The Ceylon Hotel School Graduates Association (CHSGA) and the Sri Lanka Institute of Tourism and Hotel Management, in association with the Sri Lanka Tourist Hotel Association and sponsored by Free Lanka Trading Company, sole agents for Marie Brizard Liqueurs in Sri Lanka have been conducting this event annually.

This competition was first held in 1992, in three regions. At the time, 93 participants took part at the Grand finale in Colombo and the winner took part in Asia Pacific Competition in Singapore. The first five winners from each region were privileged to take part in training programme conducted by the Sri Lanka Institute of Tourism and Hotel Management, where top marketing and sales personnel and the best hotel trainers in food and beverage undertook a part of the training.

This year, SKYY Vodka sponsored the Flairing Bartenders Competition in Sri Lanka and will further support the winner to the Asia Pacific Flairing Competition in Singapore. Hospitality was provided by Water's Edge for this event for the third consecutive year.