Travel

Jobs for rural youth in Gulf tourism

Shirajiv Sirimane

The Gulf market has opened employment opportunities for rural unskilled youth in their hotel sector. Already over 300 youth without previous hotel experience had been able to find employment in the Gulf.

Deputy Minister of Tourism Faiser Mustapha said that 10,000 more opportunities are available and Sri Lanka Tourism (SLTB) is working towards filling these vacancies. The hotel school would play a vital role towards promoting this.

Director General SLTB, Dilip Mudadeniya said that the Gulf arrivals too have shown an increase of 11 percent in January and last year it recorded a 31 percent increase. "This is a very healthy sign as their spending power is very high," he said.

The Japanese are the highest spenders averaging around 116 US dollars per day while Gulf and European tourists average spending per day is US $ 90 and 80 respectively.

He also said that recently concluded ITB in Berlin was very successful and found many new agents who are ready to market Sri Lanka as a destination. The Arabian Travel Mart would be held from May 5 to 9 and there would be a record 27 local companies participating. Mustafa said that this market was virtually ignored and it was the President Mahinda Rajapaksa's vision to enter into this market, which has proved to be very productive.

The Gulf public who only knew about the Sri Lankan tea and the HR is now seriously looking at local tourism due to the promotions.

The contract SLT signed with Al Jasira television would also help to promote Sri Lanka as a destination in the Gulf, he said.

Manager SriLankan holidays, Amith Sumanapala said that the airline would actively get involved in the ATM. "We would also be launching special holiday packages to the Gulf during the event, " he said.

A ray of hope for Hambantota tourism

Shanaaz Carina

The 'Deep South' tourism promotion drive organised by the Hambantota District Chamber of Commerce (HDCC) launched at the Galle Face Hotel, Colombo. "Our objective is to promote Hambantota District as a highly desirable tourist destination through an environmental, historical, social and economic perspective," Chairman of Tourism Development Committee of HDCC Suresh de Mel said.

He also said that HDCC has undertaken numerous activities to uplift tourism industry in the district with the active participation and assistance of the Manchester Solutions, UK and Mercy Corps, USA, as well as entrepreneurs and individuals engaged in various sectors in the industry.

We also introduced brochures highlighting places of interest for tourists, DVDs and many seminars on tourism. Also a website officially was launched so that the tourist would know better about "deep south".

HDCC is not only providing leadership to promote the "Deep South" concept but has also appointed a committee of local leaders in the tourism industry and a Project Manager to organise programmes in a professional manner.

To introduce the "Deep South" as a tourist destination they had taken part in many programmes such as, participating at World Travel Market in 2006 and 2007, establishing stalls at the 'Dayata Kirula' exhibition in 2007 and 2008 to promote the 'Deep South' concept.

The tourism industry has been confined to a limited number of areas in Sri Lanka mainly because of climatic conditions and the distance from Colombo to places like Hambantota. However, the aim of the HDCC is to promote awareness of the positive aspects of the climate, natural location and resources, history, culture and community life in the area, to make the 'Deep South' an attractive destination for tourists.

Finally he mentioned that the promotion of the 'Deep South' concept with Hambantota as its centre among the international tourist community is likely to benefit the tourism industry in Sri Lanka as a whole, and therefore can be considered as a national undertaking.

Ocean Villas wins Excellence Awards

Adaaran Resorts latest property, Ocean Villas has won the Excellence Award in the 'Hotel and Tourism' category at the Sri Lanka Institute of Architects (SLIA) Design Awards 2008. Every year Sri Lanka Institute of Architects Design Awards gives recognition to outstanding work to the latest architecture and provides a greater appreciation of excellent architectural designs.

SLIA Design Awards classifies the awards into 4 key areas; which are buildings, projects, products/interiors and open. Each of these four areas is further expanded with awards given in various categories.

Consultant Architect Mano Ponniah, and Consultant Interior Designer for the Ocean Villas Jean-Michel Fragnay, project received the excellence award for 'Hotel and Tourism' under 'Buildings' category.

Upon receiving the award, Ponniah commented that the simplicity of the structural design, quality of the interior and immaculate methods undertaken in the construction were pivotal to the winning of the award.

The first Adaaran Prestige property to be launched in the Maldives was Adaaran 'Prestige' Water Villas in 2005.

Their second Prestige property Adaaran 'Prestige' Ocean Villas was inaugurated late last year and their next property, Adaaran 'Prestige' Vadoo is set to officially open in February 2009 is also anticipated to further add to the collection of Adaaran Prestige properties represented by excellent architectural designs and exquisite interior designing.

Sri Lanka food promo' in China

The Sri Lanka Food Festival, sponsored by the Mount Lavinia Hotel, Colombo with their renowned Chefs led by Dr. Pablis Singho, concluded successfully at the Scene a Caf, the main restaurant of the China World Hotel, the only Platinum Class Hotel in Beijing, recently. According to the General Manager Stefan Bollhalder, the Food Festival had been patronized by about 250 guests at each meal time.

Sri Lankan kottu roti, egg hoppers and hoppers with chicken and crab curries had been favourite items at the food festival.

The Sri Lanka food festival was part of the series of trade, investment and tourism events organized by the Sri Lanka Embassy in Beijing under the theme "Sri Lanka - Beyond Your Dreams". The Mt. Lavinia Hotel's Chef Dr. Pablis Singho and the China World Hotel's Chef Chandana Devapura, a Sri Lankan born Australian, now working in the Shangri-La Chain of Hotels, conducted Cookery Classes every evening during the Food Festival, which had drawn much interest and enthusiasm among the participants.

To make use of the visit of Dr. Pablis Singho, the Sri Lankan Embassy organised a Culinary Exhibition and a Dinner at the Residence of the Ambassador for lady Ambassadors and spouses of Asian Ambassadors.