Sri Lanka - OutboundHolidays

Tourism investors pour in to Sri Lanka

Tourism investors are pouring in to snap up land on Sri Lanka’s east coast which has only recently been opened up to tourists following 30 years of terrorism.

“Around 100 acres have been given to 13 investors under 99 year leases so we should have another 100 rooms by the end of next year. We have three hotels already operating in that area.

“There are also 13 hotel projects in the pipeline,” said Chandra Wickeramasinghe, chairman and managing director of Connaissance de Ceylon, a destination management company.

Following two years of peace, Sri Lanka is looking to bring back the tourists that were frightened away by the internal conflict.

“The government wants to have more hotels in the east. The area was abandoned for so many years because of the terrorist problem, but it has tremendous potential,” said Anura Lokuhetty, president of Tourist Hotels Association of Sri Lanka.

According to Sorath Wijesinghe, ambassador of Sri Lanka to the UAE, the biggest number of tourists visiting Jaffna is those in the diaspora – the Sri Lankans who fled during the conflict. “A lot of the affluent people who have been living in Europe for the last 20 years are now coming back to see their own country,” he said.

According to the Sri Lankan Tourist Board, 654,000 tourists visited the country in 2010, a number they’re looking to increase to 2.6 million by 2016 and to five million by 2020.

“We’ve identified the Middle East as one of the largest growth markets for Sri Lanka with tourist arrivals growing steadily at 46 per cent last year. In order to increase this, we are committed to improving infrastructure, trains, hotel rooms etc…” said Malraj Kriella, managing director of the Sri Lanka Tourism Board.

As part of this plan, they are looking to increase their 15,000 hotel rooms to 45,000 by 2016.

Shangri-la recently announced a plan for a 500 room seven-star resort hotel in Colombo and China National Aero-Technology Import and Export Corporation is planning another six-star hotel near the new Shangri-la property. According to Lokuhetty, Movenpick Hotels which is expanding across Asia has also earmarked Sri Lanka for future development.

Sri Lanka has also been working to making remote areas more accessible to tourists by introducing air taxis or seaplanes. “These flights which are only $99 on average are very popular and are always fully booked.

“They save time and comfort on going to different places,” said Mohammad Fazeel, head of worldwide sales at Sri Lankan Airlines.

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Sri Lankan Airlines grows fleet to 19 aircraft

The Sri Lanka national carrier Sri Lankan Airlines has expanded its fleet to 17 which is the highest in its history and having two further acquisitions planned for this year, the number of aircraft in its fleet could exceed 19, Sri Lankan Airlines announced yesterday.

“Sri Lankan Airlines took delivery of an Airbus A320 aircraft on 8th April, expanding the National Carrier’s fleet to its largest ever size in the country’s history. The airline now has a fleet of 17 aircraft, which include five A320’s, five A330’s, five A340’s, and two De Havilland Twin Otters. This surpasses the 16 aircraft that the airline possessed between 2005 and 2007.

“With plans to acquire four or perhaps even five more aircraft by the end of 2011, Sri Lankan is likely to end the year with a fleet of at least 19 aircraft. These will include three A320’s which would be the first brand new aircraft to be acquired by Sri Lankan in 11 years. The first of these A320’s is scheduled to arrive in late May, as is a long-haul A340,” Sri Lankan Airlines said.

Sri Lankan’s CEO Manoj Gunawardena said, “This is definitely a major landmark in the history of aviation in Sri Lanka, which started 64 years ago in 1947 when Air Ceylon commenced operations using two Douglas DC-4 Skymasters. By the end of 2011, we will possess a fleet of modern aircraft that would position Sri Lankan Airlines to fulfill its role as a catalyst for the country’s economic growth.”

Gunawardena also said that, the planes were mostly acquired through operating leases.

“These investments are being made despite the negative effects of high fuel prices at the present time due to the political crisis in the Middle East. However, the fact is that Sri Lankan recognizes the need to expand our fleet and our operations in order to capitalize on opportunities in the near future,” said Sri Lankan’s CEO.

The latest acquisition is the second aircraft this year, a De Havilland Twin Otter having arrived a week ago. Another A330 or A340 will be obtained at the end of the year; while two of the airline’s older A320’s are to be returned by mid-year.

“Sri Lankan Airlines is expanding rapidly and making strategic investments in a wide range of operational areas aimed at transforming the Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA) into a major aviation hub in the region. They include a Full Flight Simulator to train local and foreign pilots; a second hangar for Sri Lankan Engineering’s maintenance programmes for other airlines; vehicles, equipment and facilities for BIA where it is the sole ground handler for all airlines; and continuous enhancements to the Cargo Exports Terminal which was opened last year. The airline’s domestic service Sri Lankan Air Taxi was re-launched last December and is rapidly increasing its number of destinations throughout Sri Lanka,” the airline said in a statement.

“With the launch of services to Guangzhou last January and Kochi in March, Sri Lankan Airlines now has a global route network that covers 51 cities in 32 countries,” it said.

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Jetwing to build hotels in Jaffna and Northeast

Jetwing Hotels has invested US$ 1 million to add 34 more rooms to its Tangalle Bay Hotel located in the deep-South, which was taken over by the hotel chain last year. The company is also looking to develop properties in the once war-torn regions of Jaffna and the Northeast.

“The refurbishment programme has been immensely successful, and we look forward to extending our hospitality through the management of Tangalle Bay,” Jetwing Hotels Chairman Hiran Cooray said. He said Jetwing invested US$ 1 million to refurbish Tangalle Bay Hotel adding 34 new rooms.

Cooray further said, the hotel chain was looking to construct a brand new hotel in Jaffna which would be located near the Jaffna General Hospital. Discussions were on-going and Cooray hopes it would take off the ground within the next four months.

Jetwing Hotels manages 12 properties spread across the country.

Cooray noted that after 30 years of bloody conflict, Sri Lanka witnessed the highest number of arrivals last winter. He said that the country would attract 800,000 tourists this year, echoing Tourist Hotels Association President Anura Lokuhetti’s statement, which appeared in The Island Financial Review recently (April 26). He said the government’s target was for 750,000 arrivals for this year, however according to the prevailing growth pattern, arrivals could reach 800,000 without surpassing the current accommodation capacity level of 900,000 room-nights.

Sources told The Island Financial Review that Jetwing was also looking at building two new hotels in the Northeast on properties already owned by the company. Jetwing was among the bidders for the Kalpitiya islets project which the government withdrew as they felt that the price and lease period were not favorable enough. The Kalpitiya zone is still being evaluated for price and lease period, while several investment proposals continue to pour in for the development of the zone.

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High Tea for Will and Kate at London Hilton

Sri Lankan agencies celebrated the wedding of Prince William and Kate Middleton on Friday with ‘High Tea’ organised by the London Hilton to mark the event. According to the statement released, the theme and menu at the event was inspired by the cornflower blue of the Ceylon Sapphire, which adorned the ring finger of both princesses, Diana and Kate.

As part of an ongoing campaign for the Ceylon Sapphire, Grant Mccann as the creative agency organized an opening for the Sri Lanka Gem and Jewellery Association (SLGJA) to be part of the celebrations to raise the profile and create awareness of this rare and valuable gem among a high net-worth clientele. The London Hilton which plays host to the rich and famous including young Royals, Princes William and Harry on a number of occasions was at the heart of the wedding route.

At the event, interesting snippets of information about the history of the Ceylon Sapphire were provided by the Sri Lanka Gem and Jewellery Association replicated from the Ceylon Sapphire website and placed on each table for the guests to read. Another unique feature of this event was the beautiful Ceylon Sapphire pendant that the Sri Lanka Gem and Jewellery Association gifted to a lucky winner at the High Tea; for which the winner was selected through a business card draw.

Prior to the event, the Export Development Board in association with the SLGJA wanted to highlight the Royal Family’s deep and longstanding connection to the Ceylon Sapphire over many generations. An innovative and informative online campaign was created by Grant McCann on behalf of the SLGJA to highlight the Ceylon Sapphire brand in key markets, most significantly in the UK. Targeting 250 UK and international media that were covering the Royal Wedding, an innovate ‘press gift’: a unique silver gem studded teaspoon with a URL www.ceylonsapphire.co.uk engraved into the handle was sent out to key journalists, the statement issued by Grant McCann said.

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Tranquil Refuge – A new luxury boutique hotel from…

As we were told that both ‘Isle of Agnes’ and ‘Wild J Wadiya’ boutique hotels are going through the final planning stages to be ready next year, their owners, the PJ Group says that another of the company’s properties, ‘Tranquil Refuge’ in Anuradhapura (Sri Lanka) will be ready in a few months.

A company statement cited Prasanna Jayawardena, Chairman PJ Hotels as saying that Isle of Agnes will be sold at US$5000-10,000 a night while they plan to sell Wild J Wadiya at US$1000-2000. “We hope to open our first boutique hotel Tranquil Refuge this year. An all inclusive price of US$250 per person will be charged to include not only our special detox menus but also Ayuruveda and Therapy, Meditation and Yoga,” he said.

Amara Galagoda, spokesperson for the PJ group noted that the architect designated for this set of ‘Tranquil Refuge’ projects will encompass traditional building practices and materials and the rural cultural heritage of Sri Lanka.

‘Tranquil Refuge is set in a rural farming region between the ancient city of Anuradhapura and Willpattu Wildlife Park. For millennia, this region has harmonized nature with the human requirement to live in tranquility with all around one.

Long before the words, biodiversity, eco-friendliness, biodegradable or even conservation of wildlife were in common parlance the region had the cosmopolitan city of Anuradhapura, which was declared a wildlife sanctuary over 2000 years ago,” she said.

She added that Tranquil Refuge is trying to capture at least a fraction of “what our forefathers achieved to balance their minds, bodies and souls in the limited time they walked this earth”.

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The Land of the Blue Whale

Sri Lanka is fast emerging as the land of the mighty Blue Whale – where a 30 year civil war once gave sanctuary to the world’s largest mammal, these beasts of the deep blue are now attracting thousands in peacetime, and adding to the already abundant attractions Sri Lanka has to offer its visitors.

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Sri Lanka Wildlife Park lures Shangri-La Hotels

Hong Kong based Shangri-La hotels has looked at two sites including one close to a well-known wildlife reserve in southern Sri Lanka to site its second proposed hotel, an official at the Sri Lankan Tourism Authority said today.

Deputy Minister for economic development Lakshman Yapa Abeywardene said visiting Shangri-La officials had examined a second site close to the Yala national park and nature reserve on the south eastern coast.

The Yala National Park is well renowned for its leopards and elephants. Shangri-La is also considering another location close to the new super port being built at Hambantota, on the island’s southern tip, he said.

The international hotel chain will select one of the two sites, Abeywardene said. The hotel group is expected to start work in three months on its first hotel in Sri Lanka, which is to be built on recently acquired state land close to the popular Galle Face Green promenade in the capital Colombo. Shangri-La Colombo will be the country’s first seven (7) star hotel property, which is to cost US$ 500 million, and is set to become the number one “luxury” hotel property in South Asia.

“Shangri-La plans to start work on their second hotel in Hambantota / Yala after starting the Colombo project,” Abeywardene said.

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Sri Lanka the “Wonder of Asia” at New York…

Sri Lanka Tourism and SriLankan Airlines have taken part in North America’s premier travel event “The New York Times Travel Show” held at the Jacob K. Javits Convention Centre in New York City from February 25-27, 2011.

The show attracted over 16,000 travel professionals and enthusiasts as well as over 600 exhibitors representing more than 150 countries. This year the event is expected to draw over 40,000 highly coveted consumers and 7,000 trade professionals. Sri Lanka Tourism and SriLankan Airlines have consistently participated at the show since its inauguration.

Sri Lanka’s participation at the The New York Times Travel Show also included a cultural presentation of flair. The world renowned Sri Lankan Dance troupe, “Channa-Upuli,” flown in courtesy of SriLankan Airlines performed on Saturday and Sunday at the Asia Stage which is one of six cultural pavilions at the show featuring live performances and culinary presentations from around the world.

The highly rated American News Channel (NY 1) featured a live performance “Making of the Lion dance” by the Channa-Upuli Dance Troupe.

Travel to Sri Lanka has increased dramatically in the past year, up 50 percent in 2010 compared to 2009. The increase is credited to the successful conclusion of Sri Lanka’s conflict against terrorism in May 2009, and a series of favourable travel articles praising Sri Lanka as a premiere destination. Publications giving Sri Lanka top travel rankings include The New York Times, National Geographic Traveller, and the websites Daily Candy and Lonely Planet.

While about 650,000 tourists arrived in 2010 (compared to less than 500,000 in 2009), Sri Lanka’s Tourism Development Authority predicts 2.5 million visitors by 2016.

(Pictures by Sagara Lakmal De Mel)

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Sri Lanka rediscovered

After 25 years of staying away, a couple from Finland Jukka and Leppnen had the chance to revisit Sri Lanka, where they spent many years working on a development project in the region of Kandy in the early 1980s.

The duo in an email to Lakbimanews said of their visit to Sri Lanka. “During the past 25 years the world has changed a lot. Some countries have benefited more than others from the global structural revolution. In Sri Lanka the development has not been very rapid due to difficult years of war and natural disasters. During our two month stay we discovered this beautiful island to be in a process of rebuilding the devastated areas and reconstructing economic and social infrastructure. These are the basic requirements for economic development and for opening the country for tourism at its full capacity. We were happy to observe that overcoming these problems seems to be in good progress, and that the Sri Lankans have seemingly not lost their pleasure in life and their confidence in a better future – admirable qualities which we have always associated with the Sri Lankan people”.

“Sri Lanka has a lot of potential and possibilities to offer foreign tourism, but the changing conditions in Sri Lanka certainly form a challenge for the travel industry. Travelling culture is changing with the new generation of budget travellers, who give more weight to the price service value of exciting and adventurous excursions than to the way of travelling and luxury facilities.

During our recent trip we rediscovered many of the sights, events and places which we have cherished in our hearts for so long. We were able to once again enjoy the small roadside stalls and boutiques, interesting fish and vegetable markets and the almost intoxicating odours of fresh spices. For us one of the most enjoyable things in Sri Lanka is the local kitchen, which is full of delightful surprises just like the island itself. With its vibrant colours and fragrant aromas it is just irresistible to us. It is wonderful to experience how every dish, from rice and curries, hoppers and rottis to chutneys, desserts and cakes, makes use of the country’s bounty of fresh spices”.

“We have been lucky to travel and live in many countries for longer periods of time. For us the most precious moments in all the different cultures we learned to know are those spent with local people, sharing their everyday life. These valuable experiences have offered us interesting points of view and made it possible for us to evaluate the condition and services of a country in a way very different to the one of luxury travellers. Friends, old and new, have helped us in building up an impression of the present and most importantly they have made us feel at home”.

“Sri Lanka has become the love of our lives”.

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Indians among top tourists to Sri Lanka

The booming tourism industry in Sri Lanka has recorded another 30 per cent jump for the first two months of this year, with Indians topping the list of holiday makers to the island nation.

The total number of foreign tourists visiting the island jumped to 139,994 in January and February, up from 108,057 for the corresponding period the previous year, according to the Sri Lanka Tourism statistics released last week.

Indian tourists were the largest single group of foreign holiday makers to visit the island. The number of Indians rose by 36.1 per cent to reach 23,857 for the two-month period compared to 17,524 last year.

British tourists are also on the rise, becoming the number two in terms of number of visitors. The number of Britons rose to 19,132 compared to 18,928 during the first two months of last year.

Sri Lanka’s tourism sector is booming after the end of nearly three decades of ethnic conflict on the island in May 2009.

The island hopes to receive over 700,000 tourists this year compared to the record 650,000 arrivals in 2010, the Economic Times reports.

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