Arugambay gears up for tourist influx

Ishara JAYAWARDANA

Put the sand, the surf, a picturesque setting and a luxurious hotel and what do you have? The ideal tourist destination; an ideal combination that will attract tourists to the pearl of the Indian Ocean - Sri Lanka! This project was started this year and at the end of this year, December, Arugambay hopes to complete the project. The entire cost of the hotel upto now is 123 million.
A hotel with three star facilities is under construction in Arugambay at this very moment with the approval of the Sri Lankan Tourism and Development Authority. In addition to building this hotel the Arugambay Tours and Travels organization is functioning as a travel agency.
The building of a hotel is not the only plan marked by Arugambay Tours and Travels. They are planning on creating a Chamber of Tourism under the Company Act.
It is in the process now. There is no chamber of tourism up until now in Sri Lanka. There are nine chambers in the country but no tourism chamber.
This tourism chamber will be affiliated to the Federation of Chambers of Commerce and Industry in Colombo.
Arugambay Tours and Travels, a travel agency which was started before the Tsunami of 2004 was started from Arugambay itself and the office was based in Colombo. After the Tsunami, they couldn't do business and also because the situation in the country was not conducive for business.
The time has now come for the entire country to restart the business.
We have opened a head office in Colombo and also we are functioning an office in Arugambay. This is to promote tourism and development and the other relative industries.
So now the travel industry is beginning to boom and our duty is to give proper information to people who are coming here and to show them potential places that they can go and see.
People who have lack of information they don't know where to go or what to see, Arugambay Travels and Tours Managing Director A.M. Jaufer said.
While acting as a mediator between the tourists and the hotels, Arugambay also acts as a catalyst when it comes to the development of the area.
We were doing well before the Tsunami and now with the country's situation - President Rajapaksa has brought peace to the country - and now after the elections with the international community having good relations with Sri Lanka, lots of tourists will come here.
After the elections lots of local people are visiting the area. And in the East most of the hotels are enjoying 100 percent occupancy. We want to have good standards for hotels in the region so investors can be brought into these areas for investment, Jaufer said.
Since travelling by land is time-consuming air taxis are now being used. In other words, Domestic airlines. Arugambay, is operating the Deccan Aviation to bring tourists to eastern areas and they have been appointed as the sole agent for Deccan Aviation Limited. The Air Force also has a hand in this as well under the title Helitours.
Deccan Aviation has a helicopter presently and they have also purchased the eight seater aircraft that will probably be operational soon. These Air Taxis are operated by the Deccan Aviation and Air Force has their helicopters and aircrafts as well.
Now there is one political stand. Different people have different kinds of views. Now there is one view in the country under President Mahinda Rajapaksa. In Parliament there is a clear majority. Everyone is united. There is a oneness of opinion. Therefore the country can have a good development program. There is a good opportunity for regional economic development. People will listen to what the Government says, Jaufer said.
Jaufer also outlined a prevalent problem saying that most of the hotels are illegal hotels in the region. This is the time we must convey to the people that they have to get approval to build hotels.
Once they get approval the hoteliers will have more facilities; they can get a bank loan, they can get investors. Therefore this is a time when Government authorities can convey to the industry people that approval must be obtained. There must be standardization. The Government must assist these industry people.
Jaufer also expressed his views on the other industries that are hiding. For example there is milk. 35,000 litres go from Ampara to Ambewela. There are no facilities to collect milk from the cattle farm owners. There is wastage of milk there. Wood Apple here in Colombo - Wellawatte market is Rs 80, when you come to Thalamanvilla one kilo is Rs 50 When you go to Panama you get free woodapple.
Farmers in the region must be given proper guidance and information.
Awareness is important, Jaufer said.
Hoteliers are saying the beach belongs to them, fishermen are saying the beach belongs to them, tourists who come there, say the beach belongs to them and the Coast Conservation says it belongs to them.
The Government has to give proper awareness to hoteliers, and fisheries industry people. The fishermen have to be given instructions in a way that they can benefit from the industry. Then they will be happy.
For example they can take tourists into deep waters and they get some income through that. And they will keep the beach clean and assist the industry, Jaufer said.
Jaufer further urged the need to monitor INGOs giving an example of private land ownership. If an INGO puts up a building on the land of a private owner based on a three year agreement on INGO funds, then after three years the building goes to a private land owner, he said.

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Chaaya Blu online competition

All creative and imaginative people - get out your pens and papers, laptops, Blackberries or whatever writing device you like to use, visit www.chaayahotels.com/flytotheblu and win a holiday you'll never forget.
Chaaya Blu Trincomalee launches yet another dimension to its axiom, 'Where great stories begin', with a first of its kind 'Fly to the Blu' competition.
This very first four star quality resort on the East Coast which opened its doors on the May 15 now wants you to tell your own travel story and stand to win a never before offered prize for telling tales.
Having begun the story for you by penning the first few lines of your travel diary, Chaaya Blu then expects you to continue your own travel story, infusing as much imagination and creativity as you like.
It is this creative and exciting twist that may win two lucky storytellers a weekend for Two each inclusive of full board accommodation for three nights at the famed Chaaya Blu, flying all the way to Trincomalee and back to Colombo.
And since there's no road trip involved, you get more time to spend at Chaaya Blu and enjoy a panoramic vista flying over our beautiful paradise isle while enjoying your just rewards of a fabulous win.
And Chaaya Blu also adds a blue whale excursion into the emerald hued deep blue seas to the winning package, signalling the beginning of another chapter of a great story (but that story is to be told another time!).
Chaaya Blu with its definitive retro architecture and fun interiors of denim, mosaic and tie and dye, a boardwalk that stretches out into the sea and a crab menu that's simply infinite, has the picturesque panorama of the blue waves and pure white sands of Trincomalee as a backdrop to titillating the imagination.
The recent sightings of eighty foot Blue Whales just add more episodes to the beginnings of great stories at Chaaya Blu.
Now by weaving your perfect end to a travel story that has already begun, four people can literally Fly to the Blu for a holiday that can only instigate indelible memories.
So quick, one month is all you have to tell your tale and Fly to the Blu, to experience a holiday of a lifetime at Chaaya Blu Trincomalee.

Launch Press conference in Mumbai.VOB

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Chaaya Blu Trincomalee opens

First four-star resort in Eastern Province :Book your hotel here

Just a few months after the Government unveiled a massive tourism development project for the east, the John Keells Hotels Group has opened the first resort that conforms to four-star standards on the East Coast, adding a new dimension to tourism in that part of the country.

John Keells Holdings Deputy Chairman Ajit Gunewardene and officials at the opening

Chaaya Blu Trincomalee is the first sizeable investment seen on the East Coast and will meet the demand for quality accommodation with the increasing inflow of tourists into that area.
With the onset of peace, John Keells Hotels group has now taken a pioneering stance as stated by Executive Vice President Jayantissa Kehelpannala.
"We take pride in launching a resort of the calibre of Chaaya Blu, a first of its kind on the East Coast, within a year of gaining peace in Sri Lanka.
"It was a much rewarding challenge, given that we can now offer our guests the opportunity to discover and savour all that is truly unique to the East Coast while staying amidst star class comforts."
The project, one of the first investment decisions taken by John Keells upon the dawn of peace in May last year, was put into play almost soon after, as the industry itself had previously been restrained in investing in East Coast tourism.
"With Chaaya Blu Trincomalee we continue to be tourism trendsetters," John Keells Holdings Deputy Chairman Ajit Gunewardene said.
"It is not merely with pride but also with a sense of responsibility that we believe the success of this launch will create confidence towards attracting more tourism development on the East Coast."
With over three decades experience in the tourism industry, JKH, an undisputed industry leader in the hospitality industry has added fillip to an area of the country which has for long not had much development given the constraints it faced.
"And with the dawn of peace and the realisation that there was a dearth of a resort conforming to international standards in Trincomalee, we made a decision to quickly cement our presence on the east coast."
Chaaya Blu, will, through its contemporary architecture, features and facilities, add a new dynamic to Sri Lankan resorts as a whole.
This 70s property now revamped as a stylish retro-chic product will also set trends in modern resort interiors being outside the typical Sri Lankan resort design."
Architect Channa Daswatte has imbued unique blues of the Trincomalee sea and the whites of the sand into the double arched architecture reminiscent of the 'retro' years, Chaaya Blu encapsulates the ring of the hip within a cool relaxing milieu.
The unique architecture moves away from the traditional to an inspiration garnered from the James Bond movie flick "Die Another Day" to create 80 rooms including 20 chalets and two suites that compliment the Trincomalee landscape.
However much of the promise of the resort seems to involve showcasing the wondrous offerings of Trincomalee itself which have remained long inaccessible for most, Sri Lankans included.
Another reason that makes Chaaya Blu special is the abundant sightings of Blue Whales which now complete a triad of whale sighting locations in Sri Lanka, collectively spanning eight months of the year.
The hotel has a dedicated excursion centre as well as a PADI certified diving centre to enable guests to make the most of some of the best dive spots in Asia, go snorkeling around Pigeon Island, join a whale and dolphin watching expedition or embark on exciting and insightful tours into the yet unexplored locality." he enthused.

From man made home to jungle

( 10 Votes ) 22nd March was a special day for the Elephant Transit Home at the Uda Walawe National Park, as four young elephants were released to their natural habitat in the wilds of the Lunugamwehera. Nurtured at the ETH Sevena since their separation from the mother elephants these young ones walked reluctantly away from the carers who had fended and looked after them for nearly five years in each case. The ETH in Uda Walawe provides an excellent opportunity for elephant enthusiasts to see baby elephants at close quarters and in proximity to their natural habitat. This elephant conservation project - ETH; provides a home to baby elephants born in the jungles and separated early from their mothers. On being taken in to ETH they spend their days roaming freely in a section of the national park reserved for them and from which they will once again return to their   natural home . The baby elephants are fed at three hourly intervals and that is the only time that public are permitted to view them.

Sri Lanka Tourism to get a shot in the arm through IIFA

Amitabh in Colombo for IIFA THURSDAY, 22 APRIL 2010 11:26 1 2 3 4 5  ( 2 Votes ) By Sanath Weerasuriya The spotlight will be on Colombo when the glitter and shine of Bollywood cinema and the industry’s best arrive in Sri Lanka for the 11th International Indian Film Academy (IIFA) awards ceremony scheduled to be held at the Sugathadasa Indoor Stadium from 3 to 5 June. Veteran actor Amitabh Bachchan was in Sri Lanka on Tuesday as the Brand Ambassador of IIFA to finalize the event details and to brief the media on the event. It is reported that South Africa, the United Arab Emirates, Australia and South Korea, were the other strong contenders for the venue. A twenty / 20 cricket match between Bollywood stars and Sri Lankan film and cricketing stars is also being planned during this three day mega event. The weekend events in Colombo will also include a business forum, fashion show and movie workshop. The Bollywood legend, though he kept the media waiting for about one hour for the briefing at the Cinnamon Grand, said that of all the welcoming he had received over the past 10 years with IIFA, the reception he had received in Sri Lanka was by far the very best. He was also very positive of the opportunities for film production available in Sri Lanka, in the current situation of peace and stability that prevails in the country. Also he mentioned in his address to the media that he was struck by the integration of the Sinhala, Tamil and Muslim cultures in the welcome dance forms that he saw, which showed the people's desire to live in peace and harmony. He was also very positive on the prospects of tourism development in Sri Lanka. Sri Lanka Tourism Authority along with Sri Lanka Tourism Promotion Bureau made it possible for this event to be held in Colombo. 'This is a very rare and wonderful opportunity for Sri Lanka. Thanks to the prevailing peace, Sri Lanka has received international recognition. And we have a very limited time frame to do all the ground work before the event and to create the magic to be on par with or make even better than all the previous international venues,' said Duleep Mudadeniya, Managing Director of Sri Lanka Tourism Promotion Bureau. IIFA Colombo 2010 is expected to be attended by more than 600 Indian film industry guests and watched by 600 million TV viewers in 110 nations. Celebrities expected to attend include famous Indian acting dynasty the Bachchans -- father Amitabh, son Abhishek and his wife, former Miss World Aishwarya Rai, Sha Rukh Khan, Kajol and other popular Indian stars. Also present at the press briefing were Governor of the Central Bank Ajith Nivard Cabraal, former Tourism Minister Achala Jagoda, Secretary of Tourism Ministry George Michael, CEO of SriLankan Airlines Manoj Gunawardena, Managing Director of Sri Lanka Tourism Promotion Bureau Duleep Mudadeniya, acclaimed movie stars of Sri Lanka Ravindra Randeniya and Jackson Anthony, former Miss Sri Lanka and Bollywood actress Jacqueline Fernandez, and Joseph Sabbas of Wizcraft Enterprises International of India and the founder  of IIFA. Mr. Bachchan paid a courtesy call on President Mahinda Rajapaksa in the evening at the Janadhipathi Mandeeraya. President Rajapaksa said the government is keen to develop the Sri Lanka film industry and sees many possibilities of partnership with India in this regard. Mr. Bachchan was impressed by the work already done in establishing the Mahinda Rajapaksa National Tele-Cinema Park, at Tissamaharama, a brainchild of the President.

Ayurvedic Workshop for foreign tourists visiting Sri Lanka

( 5 Votes ) Sri Lanka Ecotourism Foundation (SLEF) in association with Fortune Lanka Travels and Tours organized a two day Workshop and Certificate Programme for a group of visitors (Medical Doctors) from Slovakia from 18-19 April at the Research and Training Institute of SLEF.  The main Objective of this Workshop and Certificate Programme was to promote genuine, traditional Ayurvedic practices of Sri Lanka and build awareness among the visiting tourists to Sri Lanka.  Ayurveda is the science of natural and holistic healing, which was developed thousands of years ago by the spiritually elite, and is now manifesting all over the world. Ayuvedha is considered as the best point of synthesis for a Global System Medicine. Sri Lanka has well preserved highly effective treatment systems based on Ayurvedha from time immemorial.  These foreigners from Slovak (former Czechoslovakia) visiting Sri Lanka on a regular tour, requested the Travel Agency to facilitate an academic  programme to learn about Ayurvedha practices in Sri Lanka. Sri Lanka Ecotourism Foundation with the assistance of Ministry of Indigenous Medicine in Sri Lanka, Nawinna, the Ayurvedic Hospital in Rajagiriya and Surathura Herbal and spice Gardens of Matale organized the workshop and the certificate programme to fulfil the request of the tour group. These visitors had some basic knowledge on Ayurveda philosophy, but certainly they didn’t have any deeper knowledge. One of them, Prof. Riegerova, had some deeper knowledge on various massage techniques but not in pure Ayurvedic practices, but she knew how to practice it. All of these doctors were deeply interested to learn traditional Ayurvedic theory and practices that had been preserved in Sri Lanka. There was an interpreter who translated lectures and the proceedings of the Workshop from English into Czech language. The Resource persons were drawn from Research and Education Institute of Ayurvedic Research and Training Center, Nawinna, the Ayurvedic Institute and the Hospital at Rajagiriya and supported by the Association of the Doctors of Indigenous Medical Practitioners of Sri Lanka. Sri Lanka Ecotourism Foundation, the pioneer national ecotourism organization in Sri Lanka promotes traditional and genuine indigenous medical practices in Sri Lanka through its community based ecotourism programmes.

Traditions in luxury at ‘Sorowwa’

1 2 3 4 5  ( 1 Vote ) By Sanath Weerasuriya,  Surrounded by a number of nature sanctuaries, home to thousands of colourful (migrating) birds and wild elephants, ‘Sorowwa Resort’ in Habarana ideallly  location for cultural and natural excursions as well as indulgence in the beauty of nature and serenity. ‘Sorowwa Resort and Spa’ is the latest attraction to  the cultural hub. 'This is actually the best location for all wildlife lovers and the top wildlife sanctuaries are situated just half an  hour away. Minneriya, Kaudulla, Huruluwewa and Ritigala is at very close proximity' said Dr. M. Nawaz Jiffrey, the proprietor of the 'Sorowwa Resort and Spa'. Dr. Nawaz, a professional medical practitioner, attached to the Gampola Hospital, has a dream from his childhood days. That is to become a top hotelier one day. ‘Sorowwa Resort & Spa' is built on the exact spot where Royalty of yore had their preferred pleasure garden and weva in Habarana. The original ‘sorowwa’ of Habarana Weva is still in tact and the hotel is built on the same land by the Weva close to the sorowwa. ‘This is the main reason I have called this place ‘Sorowwa’. As a born nature lover and cultured man, I always respect our Sri Lankan traditional values. This same thing I have introduced in to the system of the hotel too' Dr Nawaz explained. ‘Sorowwa’ has 23 rooms including 14 deluxe, 6 super deluxe, one VIP room and two rooms at the ground level for the disabled . This is the only place I have come across with such facilities for differently abled people . Apart from the usual hospitality service, Sorowwa offers a step further in serving  their guests. ‘In this place of sheer tranquility, an exalted level of personalized hospitality is all yours. From the moment you arrive to be greeted by our staff with a warm smile coming straight from their heart, you will begin to feel that you have finally arrived at that place you have always dreamed of, so abandon your self unto blissful comfort, total relaxation and peace' he added. In keeping with the old traditions of the area, ‘Sorowwa’ offers traditional Sri Lankan cuisine along with all the other global dishes at the main restaurant 'Keketiya'. Rooftop is 'Balungala' and 'Ganganatha' is the pool bar. 'This is a family resort and we serve according to family choice. An exotic spread of succulent eastern and western dishes by Chef Bandara are the speciality of 'Keketiya' said Chaminda Amerasinghe, the Manager of the place. ‘Sorowwa’ is within easy reach of so many magnificent spots of exciting wild life, historically and culturally rich sites for which Sri Lanka is famous for. Sigiriya (1/2 hour drive), Minneriya (15 minute drive), Ritigala (1/2 hour drive), Dambulla ( 1/2 hour drive), Polonnaruwa 45 minute drive), Anuradhapura (45 minute drive), Trincomalee (1 1/2 hour drive), Pasi Kuda (1 1/2 hour drive) and Knuckles is about 2 1/2 hour drive are some of the top attractions and sites close to the Resort. Honeymooners too are assured of a most memorable stay which they would enjoy their new life together - Adding more buzz to it are majestic elephant rides and exciting wild-life excursions. For more details call 066 2270332 / 3 or log on to www.sorowwa.com