Sri Lanka - OutboundHolidays

Head to Sri Lanka for plenty of winter sun

Winter can certainly be a depressing time of year; with dreary weather, cold mornings and dark nights, it can feel as though the season is never-ending, especially if springtime is late in arriving. One of the best pick-me-ups is to have something to look forward to, something exciting on the horizon to take your mind off yet another gloomy evening. Winter sun holidays are becoming increasingly popular amongst those eager to escape to a tropical paradise for a week or so, especially for those who want to return with a healthy glow and a spring in their step.

If you’re looking for the ultimate exotic getaway, Sri Lanka is the perfect choice. Not only is this stunning island blessed with beautiful beaches on which to catch some rays, but the food, friendly locals and ancient monuments will give you plenty to do throughout your break. If you’re looking for a winter holiday on a budget, Sri Lanka has an abundance of high-quality budget hotels across the island, perfect option to help save a little money this year.

While staying on the island, one of the first things that will strike you is the stunning landscape and pristine beaches that are dotted around. To really relax, head east to Trincomalee, a beautiful coastal town that offers white sand and clear waters all year round. Trincomalee is a relatively quiet destination, making it perfect for recharging the batteries, and many of the nearby budget hotels back straight onto the sands: perfect for sun worshippers and water sport enthusiasts!

The country also has exotic and extensive wildlife, with elephants, leopards and jackals all calling the island their home. As a result, there are several game reserves to choose from, with Uda Walawe in the south being the most popular for elephant spotting and Horton Plains offering birdwatchers the chance to see some of the island’s rarest and most exotic birds up close. However, remember that many tour guides are not affiliated with the parks themselves, and as a result may not be the best option in helping you spot the animals; if in doubt book an official tour guide through the park.

History lovers will also find plenty to keep them occupied on the island, as Sri Lanka is home to eight UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Among the most impressive of these is the Temple of the Tooth in the hill town of Kandy, where a sacred relic (believed to be the Buddha’s left eye-tooth) is stored in a beautiful casket and is the subject of daily ceremonies and devotions from worshippers. Such ceremonies are extremely popular with tourists, although remember to dress and act conservatively should you visit; it is, after all, a religious service.

However you choose to spend your time in Sri Lanka, a much needed injection of winter sun should be just the thing to see you through the rest of the season. If you’re concerned about planning your tour or finding the cheapest deals, websites such as Travel Republic can be extremely helpful in comparing prices and finding the best bargains. Get ready to make friends jealous with your fabulous winter tan!

Thanks: LES

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SriLankan Airlines and Mihin Air ready for new phase

SriLankan Airlines, driven by a US$500 million capital infusion from the Government and growing tourism, is raising its fleet to 28 in five years from 17 through a mix of new aircraft and leased ones, and expanding the network to include Seoul and Australia next year, its Director/CEO said.

Kapila Chandrasena, who took over on August 1 and continues as CEO at state-budget carrier Mihin Air, said while in the medium term the airline would be opting for used aircraft and have signed Letters of Intent for two A330s (delivery in 2013-14), long term options are to buy or lease new aircraft.

“This would depend on (1) how affordable they are, and (2) availability. When you buy an aircraft, you have to plan and book ahead – we have a few proposals. (From 2014 onwards) there are proposals from both Boeing and Airbus, encouraging us to look at new aircraft – 3 and 3,” he told the Business Times in a wide-ranging interview which dealt with synergies with Mihin Air, new routes, marketing and promotion strategies connected to a 5-year business plan.

SriLankan plans stepping up frequencies and launching direct flights to China for example where the airline has weekly flights, via Bangkok, to Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou and Hong Kong. By November, SriLankan plans to fly direct to at least two of these destinations. There would be more points to India and increased frequencies too, he said.

Mr Chandrasena said that with economic growth rising in Asia, travel also rises and that is where SriLankan’s growth will take place. “For this we need to expand the airline.

Now our primary goal is to transport passengers that are coming to Sri Lanka but Sri Lanka alone doesn’t give us the scale. So what we are looking at is the network—people transiting via Colombo: point to point/ from a destination to Colombo and secondly Asia to the Middle East via Colombo. This will give us the sufficient scale and growth in order to grow this airline. Our entire focus is on this and in order to do this we have a few challenges and our 5-year plan addresses this,” he said.

Under this, the fleet would be increased in five years; new aircraft will replace some of the narrow-body (A320s) ones, while the wide-bodies A340s will be phased on. The airline is also opting for more twin-engine aircraft than 4-engine ones, the latter burns more fuel and has higher operational costs.

“The focus is on Asia – direct flights to China, Singapore and more frequencies,” the SriLankan CEO said, adding that the $500 cash infusion starts coming in 2012 and would be staggered over five years. Part of it would be used for acquisition of aircraft and part for working capital to improve the product. The airline is also investing in expanded ground handling and engineering at Katunayake and at the new Hambantota airport where SriLankan is the handling agent.

On aircraft acquisition, SriLankan planners are looking at a possible blend of 25 % purchase and 75% lease, a decision of which would be made in the next two months.

Asked about the proposed new online visa scheme and processing fee for tourists, Mr Chandrasena said any ‘kind of difficulty is a barrier for rapid growth. With less regulation, there is a better chance of promoting the country. A case in point is that many Chinese go to the Maldives because there are no restrictions.”

While, saying there would be an impact, he added, “Whether it will be significant or not remains to be seen”.

Synergies between two airlines

SriLankan Airlines and Mihin Air, while running as separate brands, would work together using the economies of scale, SriLankan/Mihin Air CEO Kapila Chandrasena said.

“We plan to use economies of scale of both airlines to get a cost benefit. We are looking at back-end integration. It will run as two separate brands and depending on the market conditions, we will use one brand to champion the airlines. Mihin will concentrate on low, cost high volume destinations,” he said.

The budget carrier plans to add two more aircraft in the next two years to its current 2 and add Manila, Sharjah and new locations in India as destinations.

“Low cost travel doesn’t mean old aircraft, cheap food and inexperienced crews. It means giving the traveller the choice of what type of benefits he would like to consume at what price, “ he added.

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Sri Lanka tourism gears up for winter-sun season

New 4-star resort & city boutique hotel ready for launch in December

In anticipation of a fantastic winter-sun tourist season ahead, Sri Lanka’s hoteliers and the industry in general is gearing up to meet the demand head-on. Hotel developments are being announced everyday and from every corner of this small island nation.

A new four-star 124-room hotel at Ranna, near Tangalle, and a 26-room boutique hotel on R.A. de Mel Mawatha intended for business travelers will be opened in December, the chief promoter, Mr. Arun K. Thapar, Managing Director of Auro Holdings Pte Ltd. said in Colombo on Friday.

He said that four Sri Lankan investors have joined him in these projects, but preferred not to name them.

In addition to the two hotels that are part complete and ready for launch, and 25 acres of land purchased outright in Kalpitiya for development of a resort, the group has already invested USD 16 million here, he said.

Thapar who has been in Sri Lanka for over 33 years since 1978, grew in the garments industry and has in the last 10 years ventured into resort hotels in the Maldives where he runs three properties with a total of 276 rooms.

The construction of the southern hotel, named Ranna212 as the turn-off to the property is on the 212th kilometer post, had cost $ 10 million with the construction undertaken by Access, Thapar said.

He sees massive opportunity by locating there as, in addition to a magnificent virgin 60-meter beach frontage, the economic activity in the Hambantota regions where there is an acute paucity of quality accommodation, offers enormous scope.

“There’s the port development, the new airport at Mattala, the stadium where international test cricket has already been played and the bid for the Commonwealth Games – all this adds to the potential,’’ he said.

Additionally, the Yala National Park is not far off, whale watching on Mirissa, a bird sanctuary near Ranna, the Kalametiya lagoon and a host of other attractions are conveniently accessible.

The hotel at Ranna began as a joint venture between a local and a group of Italian investors which Auro acquired for USD 3.5 million. Total investment in upgrading and refurbishing this project stands at USD 10 million.

The December opening will cover 54 rooms on phase 1 with the balance 70 rooms ready by next July, the company said.

“We had an inquiry today for a 30-member Russian group for 10 days in December,’’ Thapar said on Friday.

The boutique business hotel named Colombo Courtyard will have a rooftop café and ground plus two upper floors. The original structure of what was previously an office building near the German Embassy has been retained and most of the rooms will have their own courtyards.

Mr. Reyhan Morris who worked in the Maldives has returned to Sri Lanka to be the GM of Ranna212 while Mr. Pulinda Fernando who began his hotel career at the Taj Lanka will be GM of Colombo Courtyard.

Thapar who sits on the boards of a dozen companies in Sri Lanka, the Maldives and one incorporated in Canada said that some hydro and wind power projects by his group is under negotiation.

The two hotel projects ready for takeoff have been funded on a debt equity basis with Seylan and HNB being the lenders.

CHECK HERE FOR ‘THE BEST HOTEL DEALS‘ IN SRI LANKA

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Aerosvit Airlines begins regular flights from Kiev to Colombo

Ukrainian airline Aerosvit has begun regular direct non-stop flights between Kiev and Colombo, the capital city of Sri Lanka. The airline based out of Borispol Airport made its first commercial flight to Colombo’s Bandaranaike International Airport in Katunayake Colombo on Sunday (23).

Aerosvit the largest Ukrainian airline has published a schedule consisting of three flights a week – on Mondays, Wednesdays and Saturdays. The return flights to Kiev from Colombo are scheduled on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Sundays.

Colombo becomes Aerosvit’s sixth international non-stop long-haul destination, where wide-bodied Boeing 767s will be utilized for the 9-hour flight.

Aerosvit’s new flights to Colombo are aimed primarily at tourist flows in/out of Sri Lanka and will provide services to connecting flights from Stockholm, Copenhagen, Budapest, Vilnius, Warsaw, Prague, Sofia, Riga, Moscow, Minsk, New York, Toronto, Tel Aviv, Istanbul and other points of the Aerosvit Airlines route network, the airline claims.

Aerosvit Airlines also seeks to establish a code-share agreement with Sri Lanka’s national carrier SriLankan Airlines, Yana Sopol told Daily News Business.

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CHECK HERE FOR ‘HOTEL DEALS‘ IN SRI LANKA

Wanderlust selects ‘The World’s Best Tour Guide’

A Sri Lankan tour guide has been selected as the world’s best guide by the British travel magazine Wanderlust.

Noel Bruno Dawsan says he is delighted and will help disadvantaged people into further education with his bursary.

A Tamil of Indian origin, who comes from a family of impoverished tea pickers in a remote Sri Lankan town, he was hailed by the judges as a “true cultural ambassador.”

Italian Gaetano Barone was the runner up and the UK’s Kevin Alvin got bronze.

Wanderlust collected feedback from tourists to collect candidates for a shortlist of five. The magazine then sent a judge who masqueraded as a tourist in order to decide who should get the award.

“The difference with Bruno is that instead of just hearing about his country, he made you feel about it,” said judge Mark Carwardine, author and wildlife expert.

Mr Dawsan says the award is not only a personal achievement, but an honour to Sri Lanka at a time when the country is struggling to improve its international image after decades of brutal civil war.

He is the sixth of seven children and began training in a seminary to become a Catholic priest before he turned to the tourism sector.

“I think the most important thing is commitment,” he told the BBC Sinhala service.

“When you are a tour guide you should be ready 24 hours a day. I do not drink alcohol, I don’t smoke, I am always prepared to serve my clients.”

The young guide says his destiny was transformed after he was made tour leader by the Australian travel company Intrepid Travel, for which he currently works.

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Post Office says Sri Lanka is best-value long-haul holiday…

Sri Lanka has topped a list of the best-value long-haul destinations for UK travellers following a significant fall in resort costs this year.

Prices in the island nation have dropped by a third compared with 2010, according to Post Office Travel Money, meaning it is now about 38 per cent cheaper than Thailand, its closest rival.

The organisation surveyed the cost of a ‘basket’ of ten tourist items in 28 long-haul countries and found that affordability has improved in more than two-thirds of destinations.

Vietnam – a new inclusion on the list this year – emerged as the third cheapest proposition behind Sri Lanka and Thailand.

At the other end of the scale, Hong Kong was identified as the most expensive destination overall, while China experienced the year’s biggest price increase of 27 per cent.

Commenting on the research, Sarah Munro, head of Post Office Travel Money, said “things are looking up” for long-haul holidaymakers.

“After a summer when the weak UK pound bought less holiday cash in Europe, tourists heading further afield for winter sun can look forward to seeing their pounds stretch further in most long-haul destinations,” she added.

“Resort prices have fallen in two-thirds of the countries we surveyed a year ago and, in addition, sterling has strengthened against 15 of 26 long-haul currencies.”

Thanks: travelbite

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Luxury ferry (Scotia Prince) between India and Sri Lanka…

Scotia Prince, the super luxury ferry service provided by Flamingo Liners between India and Sri Lanka has decided to reduce the charges with immediate effect.

The move is aimed at attracting more passengers during the upcoming festive and tourist seasons.

The ferry service currently runs between the Colombo Harbour and the Indian port of Tuticorin in Tamil Nadu, also known as Thoothukudi, twice a week. Currently the ferry leaves Tuticorin on Mondays and Thursdays at 6:00 p.m. and arrives in Colombo following day 8:00 a.m. It leaves Colombo port on Tuesdays and Fridays at 6:00 p.m.

Economy class single berth one way ticket between the two destinations is US$ 78.00 at present. Economy cabin passengers are allowed to carry 100 kgs of baggage.

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Travel and Tourism in Sri Lanka – Forecasts to…

Research and Markets has announced the addition of the new “Travel and Tourism in Sri Lanka” report to their offering.

The peace dividend for Sri Lanka in 2010 was a sustained increase in tourism receipts. This was the first full year of peace and stability since internal strife ended in May 2009. The removal of advisories from important Western markets quickly put Sri Lanka into the consideration plans of tourists. Unwilling to disturb the rising trend, the government decided to continue with the free visa on arrival scheme.

The Travel and Tourism in Sri Lanka report offers a comprehensive guide to the size and shape of the market at a national level. It provides the latest market size data 2006-2010, allowing you to identify the sectors driving growth. It identifies the leading companies and offers strategic analysis of key factors influencing the market – be they new legislative, technology or pricing issues. Background information on disposable income, annual leave and holiday taking habits is also included. Forecasts to 2015 illustrate how the market is set to change.

Product coverage: Car Rental, Demand Factors, Health and Wellness Tourism, Tourism Flows Domestic, Tourism Flows Inbound, Tourism Flows Outbound, Tourism Receipts and Expenditure, Tourist Attractions, Transportation, Travel Accommodation, Travel Retail.

Data coverage: market sizes (historic and forecasts), company shares, brand shares and distribution data.

Why buy this report?

Get a detailed picture of the Travel and Tourism market;
Pinpoint growth sectors and identify factors driving change;
Understand the competitive environment, the market’s major players and leading brands;
Use five-year forecasts to assess how the market is predicted to develop.

Key Topics Covered:

Sharp Increase in Tourism in 2010
Sri Lanka Moves To Legalise Gambling
Eco-tourism in Visit Sri Lanka 2011
Growth Strategy
Sustained Tourism Growth Forecast
Key Trends and Developments
Peace Dividend Pays Off
Impact of the Recession
National Tourism Board Strategy
Legalisation of Gambling
Market Indicators

Contacts

Research and Markets
Laura Wood, Senior Manager,
U.S. Fax: 646-607-1907
Fax (outside U.S.): +353-1-481-1716

Sri Lankan Airlines plans route to Philippines

The government of Sri Lanka may soon finalize an agreement with Philippine civil aviation authorities to begin commercial flights from Sri Lanka to the Philippines via Sri Lankan airlines, Philippine media reports.

This was relayed by Sri Lankan Ambassador Nawalage Bennet Cooray, who called on the PhilippineVice President Jejomar C. Binay at the Coconut Palace in Pasay City.

The ambassador said the Sri Lankan government is hopeful that, once in place, the flights will pave the way for stronger economic ties between the two countries.

There are currently no direct flights between the two countries.

Under the new deal, the flights between Manila and the Sri Lankan capital Colombo will reportedly be increased to four from two a week.

Sri Lankan Prime Minister Dissanayake Mudiyanselage Jayaratne also visited Binay early this year during Wesak.

Binay said the two countries could share experiences especially on insurgency problem.

He noted that the Philippines could learn from Sri Lanka on how its government handled “what seemed to be an impossible dream in the past,” referring to the downfall of the rebel group Tamil Tigers in 2009 after decades of battle against the Sri Lankan government.

Diplomatic relations were established between Sri Lanka and the Philippines in 1951 with the former opening a legation in Colombo.

The South Asian island nation, formerly known as Ceylon, is host to 400-500 skilled and semi-skilled Filipino workers.

According to the Commission on Overseas Filipinos, there were 1,201 Filipinos in Sri Lanka as of 2009, the Manila Bulletin reports.

Sri Lanka to get world class game lodge in…

Sri Lanka’s first world class game lodge opens on Nov. 1 when John Keells Hotels Group launches Chaaya Wild Yala adjacent to the Ruhunu National Park.

Keells Hotels has invested Rs. 40 million and Architect Channa Daswatte has metamorphosed what was the previous Yala Village on the coastal fringe of the park 80% acquired by the JKH group in Oct. 2005 at a price of Rs. 175 million.

“The very idea of espying leopard on the legendary Leopard Rock in the twilight of an evening while sipping a sundowner, or seeing herds of elephant majestically winding their way on their endless journeys, all very up close and personal; all the while, enjoying the sights and sounds of the jungle in the wild, seated amidst the subtle luxuries of a world class game lodge,’’ is how Keells Hotels showcased what’s on offer.

“Chaaya Wild Yala, John Keells Hotels’ newest resort sitting adjacent to the environs of Sri Lanka’s largest wildlife park Yala, is worthy of some dedicated poetic verse for the adventures it births, the experiences it yields and the memories it evokes. This is the very first world class game lodge in Sri Lanka that truly espouses the rudiments and features that make for an unusual adventure in the wild.’’

Yes, being a four star resort, Chaaya Wild must conform to international star rating standards and that it does with great aplomb, adding even more subtle luxuries for additional comfort. However, Chaaya Wild imbibes the environment, making it impossible to work out where the natural habitat ends and man-made facets begin, the owners said.

“The rustic feel of the mud hut-like chalet, the rejuvenated vegetation that is so very characteristic of this part of the country and the sounds of the myriad insects and birds form the perfect backdrop for the almost assured sighting of leopard and Asian elephant and of course other members of the Island’s Big Five,’’ a news release issued in connection with the launch said.

“With Sri Lanka having the highest density of leopard within a square kilometre and the largest sightings of Asian elephant within any single location, Chaaya Wild has assimilated these facets of nature into its own, becoming centric to some of the most spectacular adventures in the wild.’’

Says Sector Head – Sri Lankan Resorts of John Keells Holdings Jayantissa Kehelpannala: “The ethos we carry through in the resort is one of sustainability, inside the Game Lodge, we have introduced luxuries that most people will be surprised to see, given the rustic exteriors they first encounter. The public spaces are all about blending in with the environs so there are open spaces to get the best view. Our most spectacular is the rooftop Observation Deck, Bar and Lounge, which truly is a first in this region, given that it has a 360 degree view of the surrounding jungle and an unencumbered view of Leopard Rock, where the chances of seeing a reclining leopard silhouetted against the moonlight is great..”

Chaaya Wild’s chalet styled air conditioned rooms have unbridled luxuries within from free Wi-Fi, to 32″ LCD televisions, mini bars and DVD players, with the chances of spotting some animal in the wild, added as a complimentary memory.

But it’s simply not an epic safari that Chaaya Wild offers, while that does herald the beginning of a never before experienced adventure. State of the art technology has been infused subtly as has the knowledge and experience of a highly knowledgeable safari team, who continue to remain one of the best in the land, the hotel claimed for itself.

Nature treks, chena visits and bird watching trails, taking guests on a journey that is truly different, given that this team has been studying the paradigms of the wild for decades and are well aware of the habits of each, which they use to give the guest a truly memorable experience.

The Nature Trails team have also added Lake visits in search of water birds, animal track identification and Camera Trap setting for children along with guided leopard safaris, although one of the most exciting would be the Mini Night Safari, looking into the night with sophisticated night vision equipment, guests embark on a true journey of the wild at night.

“And if you need to glean more, simply chat with the team, explore their extraordinary journeys in Yala, tracking leopard, elephant and other animals and birds, or watch the abundance of wild life movies and slide shows on offer and simply make your own epic adventure safari in the wild come alive at this world class game lodge, the release said.

HOTELS IN YALA, SRI LANKA