One of Sri Lanka’s leading travel companies Hemtours announced a landmark tie up with the global travel brand Diethhelm Travel. Swiss owned and Thailand based Diethelm, is a global leader in several business areas and in particular tour operations in to ASEAN and the Mekong countries. They have now looked strongly into Sri Lanka, with their MOU and buy-in to the Hemtours Group, to make a strong brand presence in Sri Lanka. Hemtours announced that they will take on the brands Diethelm Travel, Sri Lanka for its operations to make the most for Sri Lanka with the marketing network reach of Diethelm Travel. 

Announcing the MOU between the two companies at the ITB in Berlin, Chief Executive Officer of DTG, John Watson, said, “Our customers have long been asking for a Diethelm Travel presence in Sri Lanka and the Maldives. We have found an excellent partner in Hemtours, a long-established, highly regarded, and quality tour operator. We are now in the process of re-branding the Hemtours businesses”.

Sri Lanka Tourism wishes the partnership all success.

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The Sri Lanka Tourism stall at the ITB Berlin (World’s largest travel fair) within the Asia Hall, had a steady stream of visitors this week with one of them, to win a special gem studded wooden elephant on display. 

At International Tourismus Börse (ITB) in Messe Berlin, Berlin, Sri Lanka is making a strong presence, with over 150 representing the industry.  Over 40 service providers, showing off the newest in attractions available in destination Sri Lanka a land like no other ,  is drawing a large numbers of curious and interested visitors to the Sri Lankan stall, eager to learn of what is on offer for tourists in the coming winter season.  

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Viewers in the Middle East and the world over will savour glimpse of Sri Lanka, when Al Jazeera beams, the destination Sri Lanka ad campaign over its channels. Sri Lanka Tourism Promotion Bureau has chosen Al Jazeera, as a strategic partner, in showcasing Sri Lanka to the discerning traveller, from the Middle Eastern region.

With increases in travel from the Middle East last year, Sri Lanka expects to further boost arrivals from the region. The diversity in recreation of the nature, adventure, culture offer, along with the traditional sun and sand offer, available in Sri Lanka, will be viewed by the nearly 50 million viewers on the Al Jazeera network worldwide through its Arabic and English versions. 

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Colombo’s favourite country music concert – Country Roads, will make its 16th appearance, at the Mt. Lavinia Hotel on Sunday 16th March with the Mavericks from Germany and Astrid Brooke and Amelie Chevalier from the UK  joining local artistes Feizal, Jury, Ranjit and Hamilton from the Country Revival Band, Anno Dominic and the Cosmic Rays.

Tickets available at Cargills Food City outlets for more information call Dhammika on 2304179

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The Italian born Slow Food movement is showcasing the produce of Sri Lankan farmers as being cleaner and healthier foods, grown according to indigenous methods.

Organically grown Sri Lankan chilli is now sold in Italy, Germany and France through the initiatives of the Slow Food movement. This initiative is helping Sri Lanka’s rural farming communities, to continue with their environment friendly indigenous methods of farming, while earning a good return for their efforts.

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“Sri Lanka has historically been, and remains a key market for Qatar Airways. We currently operate 14 non – stop flights a week – double daily – between Colombo and Doha with excellent connections across our global network” Ali Al Rais General Manager Commercial Qatar Airways said, in his message read at the Qatar Airways Agents Awards Night held in Colombo last month.

Launched in 1997 as an international carrier, the national airline of the State of Qatar, the Doha based airline expanded its network to include 11 new routes in 2008.

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The skies over Sri Lanka will light up from Saturday March 22nd  for two weeks as the Sri Lanka Balloon Festival 2008 takes off the ‘ground’ with 72 international ballooning enthusiasts mainly from the UK, Ireland, Japan and Saudi Arabia, joining in the fun and adventure this year.

The events will commence with ‘Night Glow’ on Saturday March 22nd when 22 Hot Air Balloons will be on display at a venue in Colombo. The main events - the ballooning over Sri Lankan landscape is happening in Hambantota in the deep south of Sri Lanka,  from March 26th to 30th . The week from March 31st onwards, the Balloons will flyover the cultural triangle, in Sigiriya.

Inaugurated in 2003 the Sri Lanka Balloon Festival has gained wide popularity with many repeat guests participating. The event has received much publicity in ballooning circles on being featured in the British Balloon and Airship Club Magazine Aero Stat and the Japanese magazine Sky Sport.

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Sri Lanka, the second largest exporter of tea in the world, is in for good times with the rise in price in the commodity market. Good times are in for the industry which suffered some set backs for over three decades due to low prices.

Synonymous with the world’s finest teas, Sri Lanka offers many varieties under distinguished brand names which are market leaders in the world of tea though tea is not an indigenous plant to the island. It was introduced by Scotsman James Taylor who planted it in 1849, and is Sri Lanka's number one export commodity today.

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On a visit to Agra in India, A U R Chandrasiri saw vendors in Agra in North India serving food on tree leaves, as tourists are prohibited from taking polythene, in to the Taj Mahal.

On his return Chandrasiri was motivated to venture in to an eco friendly enterprise in producing utensils- plates, dishes and cups from leaves of trees. From a small but thriving workshop in Kurunegala, Chandrasiri makes his statement, to conserve the environment, joining the long march of committed Sri Lankans’ who are campaigning against the use of polythene. Sri Lanka Tourism’s Earth Lung Project commends this timely initiative.

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Frequent visitor to Sri Lanka, Gregory Rose, Professor of Conducting of the Trinity College of Music London, will be guest conductor at the 51st season of the Symphony Orchestra of Sri Lanka on Saturday 15th March at the Ladies’ College Hall in Colombo.

Prof Rose a frequent visitor to Sri Lanka has conducted the SOSL on several occasions over the past six years. He has over 100 concert premiers to his credit and has conducted leading orchestras including the London Philharmonic, the St. Petersburg Symphony Orchestra, the London Mozart Players and the Netherlands Wind ensemble.

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