FAM tour for German travel agents

Participants of the FAM tour

An FAM tour comprising fourteen German travel agents took place May 30 to June 5, to give them a view of the products they are selling at the counter and to increase sales to Sri Lanka. The places covered were the Cultural Triangle, Trincomalee, Kandy, Nuwara-Eliya, Bentota and Negombo. The SL Tourist Promotion Bureau conducted workshops on sales arguments and product variety.

Tobias Bandara of the SLTPB said: "The increase of 74.6 percent of german arrivals from January to May 2010 compared with the same period in 2009 shows Sri Lanka's potential as a top destination.

By training counter sales staff on location with FAM trips, we ensure that their positive personal experience will lead to more interested holidaymakers to Sri Lanka".

SriLankan brings surfing to Arugam Bay

SriLankan Airlines is bringing one of the worlds most glamorous and highly rated surfing events to Sri Lanka, part of the airlines multi-faceted strategy to position the island as one of the worlds most sought after travel destinations.

The SriLankan Airlines Pro 2010 tournament will draw some of the top stars in the surfing world to Arugam Bay from June 18 to 24, among the 128 competitors from the United States, Australia, Spain, Portugal, New Zealand, the United Kingdom, Germany and other countries.

SriLankan Airlines Pro 2010 is expected to showcase the picturesque southeast resort of Arugam Bay as one of the most beautiful beaches in the world, positioning it as a destination for all types of beach lovers and not just for surfers.

It will also generate massive publicity around the world for Sri Lanka, already experiencing a continuous boom in tourism over the last 12 months.

Profiling 'Up Market' tourism clientele

Vipula Wanigasekera

Promoting Sri Lanka as a destination and venue among up-scale tourists and visitors has always been in tourism plans, programs and agendas.

Sri Lanka has a few themed products positioned for high spenders

The subject comes up in most tourism deliberations which emerges as a priority that both authorities and Industry have to pursue vigorously.

This was briefly put across by experts as 'value against numbers' with the notion that Sri Lanka should make more efforts to go after high end market segments and niches in order to enhance the tourism receipts that will flow down to peripherals and stakeholders particularly the informal sectors.

At a time tourism industry has shown a tremendous growth and arrivals have been increasing after peace dawned on the country, it is desirable to focus the marketing spot light on high end visitors to gain optimum revenue although package tourism helped us all these years and kept the institutions above the water.

Meanwhile a few smart moves in the past by several industry members made it possible for Sri Lanka to have a few themed products that were positioned for high spenders.

Some luxury boutique hotels were charging as high as US$ 400 a night even before the conflict ended and it is time we took a serious note on their approach towards their success.

It is hoped therefore, until such time the star class hotels are built in tourism development areas, the Boutique, Bungalow, Villa concepts will generate this extra revenue with effective communication by the respective industry members with a lot of promotional efforts. Who are these up market clients and segments as against mass tourism and package holidaymakers?.

Obviously the MICE visitor is a high spender and this is simply the reason for Singapore and Malaysia to promote MICE before they launched their countries as brands for leisure.

Apart from meetings, Conferences and Exhibitions, the incentive traveller needs more attention by the industry as most incentive groups, knowingly or otherwise, are also treated as packaged holidays down the line.

Those who are given a tour abroad as a reward, bonus or special training fall into this category and they have high expectations.

This area calls for attention in shifting the promotional efforts to Incentive travel sector.

Medical tourism is a rapidly-growing practise

Similarly, segmenting the products and promoting them will result in creating interest among various interest groups who will pay the extra dollar.

Agritourism has different definitions and refers to farm stays but extended to wide variety of activities involving the visitor within the areas from picking fruits and vegetables, riding bullock carts and tasting fresh curd.

Agritourism if developed, is one alternative for improving the level of income and economic viability of small farms and rural communities.

Culinary tourism or food tourism is defined as experiencing the food of the country, region or area, and is now carried out by many destinations as a vital component of tourism experience.

The basic factor of dining out habit of tourists is the opportunity taken to develop this segment which Sri Lankan could exploit.

In cultural tourism, Sri Lanka is in a leading position but unfortunately the visits are confined to a round tour and there is little knowledge to ascertain who is interested and in what?

The inclination to learn more about kingdoms over colonial times or vice versa, if known, can enable the industry to tailor the itineraries for which the visitor will not hesitate to pay the price.

Cultural tourism entails beyond visits to locations of historic sites to learning of lifestyles and traditions of people in various regions.

Ecotourism or ecological tourism appeals to socially conscious individuals although some argue that the extra dollar is still not paid by the traveller. It could be debated in a way that pay day of Eco tourism is on its way.

In other words it is futuristic and benefits are associated with offering tourists insight into the impact of human beings on the environment, and to foster appreciation of our natural habitats.

Geotourism aims to preserve the geographical character of places, the concept of which was introduced publicly in 2002.

Geotourism provides a local incentive to protect what tourists are coming to see, and incorporates all characteristics that contribute to sense of place, such as historic structures, living and traditional culture and landscapes.

A few countries such as Thailand thrives on medical tourism which is a term coined by travel agencies and the mass media to describe the rapidly-growing practise of travelling across international borders to obtain health care.

Sri Lanka also gets quite a number of visitors for medical treatment and to expand this area, the hospital and insurance companies must get together to encourage linkages with counter parts to send their patients across to Sri Lanka.

There are issues to be resolved in accreditation and other measures of quality and treatment.

In religious tourism, Ramayana tours are picking up but the country is yet to succeed in realization of her true potential in promoting Buddhism and Buddhist culture considering that Sri Lanka is primarily a Buddhist country.

One aspect that writer has repeatedly pointed out is the need to present the core teachings of Buddhism to visitors from which they could benefit spiritually.

Wildlife tourism is still a part of package tourism and this requires to be extended to specially targeted wildlife enthusiasts.

A few industry experts offer many facilities from camping sites and even erecting luxury tents with super service for high end clients from where they could experience Sri Lanka's wildlife including the whale and dolphin watching.

Countries like Africa, Indonesia, India and South America exploit this opportunity which have experienced a dramatic and rapid growth in recent years which is also closely aligned to eco and sustainable tourism.

Emotional appeals in communication methods and modes, offering an 'experience' as against a holidays and delivering what is promised are the pillars behind the success of shifting from number to value tourism.

With the infrastructure developing and other issues such as beggars, stray dogs, garbage being solved one by one, the overall approach is now expected to move towards high end tourism which the Sri Lankan industry is quite capable of achieving after being resilient to vicissitudes for three decades.

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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Visit Sri Lanka 2011 - Travel to Sri Lanka for free?

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.