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This week, Sri Lanka Calling congratulate all winners and share in the pride of the four Sri Lankan companies who won Gold awards at PATA 2007, present a key feature on the New Tourism Act implemented from October 1st opening doors for wider private sector participation in tourism decision making, of Club Hotel Dolphin being First Choice’s Gold Choice, opinions expressed by UN WTO delegates attending World Tourism Day, English cricketers’ facing the ‘will to win’ of the Sri Lankan team, staging of the 7th Elite Black Belt Society World Congress in Sri Lanka and the next ‘hot’ event in Sri Lanka a land like no other ; the ‘World Spice Food Festival’ |
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‘‘Jetwing Hotels Vil Uyana Resort’ - Youth Development Project, was the proud winner of a ‘Best of Show’ grand Gold award, while Sri Lankan Airlines earned a Gold for creative concept in marketing and Chaaya Hotels and Resorts won two Gold’s: Chaaya Village Habarana earning the award for eco tourism and the Group, the Gold, for media marketing. They all collected their awards at the 12th PATA Awards luncheon, during the PATA Travel Mart at the Grand Hyatt, Bali. |
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The New Tourism Act will usher in a new era of stronger state and private sector joint engagement in the development and promotion of tourism in Sri Lanka, with industry leader Ken Balendra appointed as the Chairman of the Tourism Advisory Committee and former PATA Vice President – Asia, Renton de Alwis, appointed as Chairman of the Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority (SLTA) and the Sri Lanka Tourism Promotion Bureau (SLPB). Dileep Mudadeniya, has been appointed the Managing Director of the SLPB while Kalai Selvam will serve as Director General of the SLTA. Ceylon Chamber of Commerce CEO, Prema Cooray will continue to serve as Chairman of the Sri Lanka Conventions Bureau with Vipula Wanigasekera as the Managing Director. Former Ambassador H.M.G. Palihakkara will serve as Chairman of the Sri Lanka Institute of Tourism and Hotel Management with Kamal Hapuwatte and Dr. S. K. Premaratne, serving as Principal and Director respectively. All sectors of the industry are represented with strong private sector leaders appointed to the five statutory bodies of Tourism Development Authority, Tourism Promotion Bureau, Sri Lanka Convention Bureau, the Sri Lanka Institute of Tourism and Hotel Management and the Tourism Advisory Committee. The new institutions will be supported by a Tourism Development Fund administered by the SLTA. |
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Congratulations go out Club Hotel Dolphin for winning the third consecutive Gold Award, from UK’s leading outbound tour operator First Choice. The award, based on customer feedback, is a prestigious reward, earned for commitment to customer satisfaction. The hotel also enjoys a high portfolio of repeat guests.
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Addressing the press conference at Taj Exotica Bentota, the chairperson of the UNWTO World Tourism Day sessions on “Tourism Opens Doors for Women”, H.E. Nilofer Bakhtiar opined “Sri Lanka is a clear role model for others to emulate. You have achieved so much in this field and empowered women that we see in Sri Lanka as a model for others to follow.”
Prof. Geoffrey Lipman, UNWTO’s Assistant Secretary General speaking of Sri Lanka “Your country has always had a special appeal to me. It is an absolute jewel – beautiful. The problems that stood in the way of speeding developments in the industry can now be turned to your advantage as you promote yourself as a green destination”. Visiting journalist David Browne of E-turbo news said “Wonderful place! A delightful experience! This time I am here on work, next time I want to come on holiday, Bentota town is so fascinating and people so friendly and helpful” |
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With England winning the 2nd One Day International series and breaking the 25 year hoodo, cricket lovers are in for more surprises when the England Sri Lanka Test series gets underway from 1st to 22nd December. The 1st Test will be on in Kandy from 1st to 5th December, the 2nd from 9th to 13th in Colombo and the 3rd in Galle from 18th to 22nd drawing cricket loving spectators including the ‘Barmy Army’ to Sri Lanka. The choice of venues giving visitors a chance to couple cricket with relaxation on exotic beaches and tours to places where culture, nature and adventure offerings are made.
For more details
Tel : + 94 (0)11 4718734, Fax: + 94 (0)11 4718736
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WEBBS representatives and trainers who follow styles such as Kung Fu, Jiu Jitsu, Karate, Jeet Kundo and Aikido were in Sri Lanka to attend the world congress. Amongst them was Soke Yasumoto Akiyoshi one of the leading masters of the Hontai Yoshin Ryu Jui Jitsu style with trainers from England, Greece, Switzerland, Spain, Ukraine, Belaruse, Canada and Russia also demonstrating their particular styles making it an enriching experience for all participants. |
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The World Spice Food Festival will be the next ‘Hot’ event to attract attention of all visitors to Sri Lanka. The Hong Kong and Shanghai Banking Corporation (HSBC) sponsored event is scheduled from 18th to 28th October at the Colombo Hilton. The World Spice Food Festival is gearing up to delight visitors as it has done in the past. It will be 10 days of culinary extravaganza, with world renowned chefs flying in to Colombo to showcase their individual specialities. Food values and the third dimension of health benefits in food will be featured. Another attraction of the event will be the spectacular ‘Hawker Street’ at Nomads Grounds in Colombo where visitors can relish and experiment with a variety of foods from 15 different types of cuisine. |
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Please note that a major web upgrading initiative of Sri Lanka Tourism is also underway. We call on all tourism industry stakeholders to keep sending us snippets of news so we could include them in the weekly newsletters, we will bring to you on an improved format.
Sri Lanka Tourism wishes to thank all stakeholders for their wonderful support and assistance and wishes to invite them to get involved with 'Sri Lanka calling'. Please send your articles to stories@srilanka.travel
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