Ceylon Travel & Tourism

09/04/2024

19/02/2024

South Asian Travel Awards (SATA) starts calling for nominations.

30/01/2024

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98 Acres Resort & Spa Shines Bright on its 12th Anniversary!

Celebrates 12 years of Excellence

98 Acres Resort and Spa, an elegant luxury boutique hotel, that stands on a scenic 98 acre tea estate, surrounded by a stunning landscape in Ella, recently commemorated its 12th Anniversary. 98 Acres Resort and Spa, a trailblazer in showcasing Ella as a top-tier destination, has also transformed the landscape of the region, creating jobs and setting a trend of sustainable luxury.

To commemorate the property’s 12th anniversary, an event was held with religious observances. During the ceremony, long serving employees were recognised with service certificates and tokens of appreciation. Exclusive limited-edition merchandise to mark the anniversary was also produced.

In addition to this, 98 Acres Resort and Spa also donated some essential medical items to the Demodara Base Hospital.

Speaking at this momentous occasion, The Abeyrathne Brothers, the co-founders of 98 Acres Resort and Spa stated ‘Our unique combination of luxury and environmentally conscious practices has positioned us as a leading choice on travelers' schedules in Ella. This achievement also underscores our unwavering dedication to nurturing community development, enhancing livelihoods, and creating opportunities in the area. We would not be able to be where we are today without the people, especially our employees, who work tirelessly to create a unique experience at 98 Acres Resort & Spa. As we celebrate this milestone, we look forward to the future and serving our guests for many years to come.

Visitors also have the delightful opportunity to experience the lavish Ravana Pool Club done by 98 Acres Resort & Spa, at the property. This exclusive facility boasts a heated infinity pool, inviting jacuzzis, a continuous stream of DJ music, and an ambiance that remains open 365 days a year. The allure of the Ella swing, a grand swing, further enhances the overall experience. Guests can also savour gourmet cuisine and handcrafted cocktails. The Ravana Pool Club recently achieved three prestigious awards at the World Luxury Awards, showcasing its outstanding architectural design, expansive vistas, and opulent entertainment offerings in the South West Asia region.

Apart from providing exceptional lodging, the facility also presents a variety of activities, including but not limited to archery, hiking, bird watching, and numerous other engagements that contribute to a distinctive and memorable experience.

The property has also been the recipient of many international awards such as the ‘Best Luxury
Mountain Resort in the World’ by World Luxury Awards, the ‘Best Relaxation
Experience in Sri Lanka’ by Haute Grandeur Global Awards, and the Best Romantic
Hotel in Asia by Trip Advisor’s Traveler’s Choice Awards’.

As 98 Acres Resort & Spa marks its 12th Anniversary, the resort not only reflects on its past achievements but also looks ahead with a commitment to providing unparalleled experiences for its guests. With a blend of opulence, eco-conscious practices, and a dedication to fostering local growth, 98 Acres Resort and Spa remains an iconic destination, promising a harmonious retreat for years to come.

ENDS

23/01/2024

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SriLankan Aviation College Joins Ranks of IATA’s Regional Training Partners

23 January 2024; Colombo – SriLankan Aviation College, the training arm of SriLankan Airlines, has signed on to become Sri Lanka’s only International Air Transport Association (IATA) Regional Training Partner joining ranks of a prestigious few training centers numbered to seven in all of Asia. SriLankan Aviation College will be offering the Safety Management Systems (SMS) for Maintenance and Repair Operations, IATA Competency-Based Training for Dangerous Goods Instructors and IATA Instructional Design programmes as a Regional Training Partner.
“We are thrilled to announce the expansion of our collaboration with SriLankan Aviation College, as they step into the role of an IATA Regional Training Partner, dedicated to providing a wide range of IATA Training programmes in Sri Lanka,” stated Stephanie Siouffi-Vareilhes, Director of IATA Training. “As the aviation sector experiences a revival, it is of paramount importance to empower the next generation of aviation enthusiasts with the essential expertise and insights needed to meet the ever-evolving industry demands. Our partnership with SriLankan Aviation College will be instrumental in nurturing a talented pool of aviation professionals, not only within Sri Lanka but also within the region.”
SriLankan Aviation College’s history with IATA includes being recognized as a Top Performing Training Centre for six consecutive years and as one of its Ten Best Authorised Training Centres in the world in 2013. The College has also remained an IATA Approved Training Centre since inception, introducing several of the most sought-after programmes that IATA has to offer to Sri Lanka. This includes the IATA Foundation in Travel and Tourism Diploma; IATA Travel and Tourism Consultancy Diploma; IATA/FIATA Cargo Introductory Diploma; and the IATA Airline Cabin Crew Qualification.
Primal De Silva, General Manager - SriLankan Aviation College commented on the College’s latest milestone by stating that, “We are extremely pleased to take our longstanding partnership with IATA to the next level by establishing ourselves as a Regional Training Partner. This will enhance our programme portfolio and status as an industry pacesetter in the region. Over the years, our close link with IATA has helped transform the SriLankan Aviation College to a globally competitive academy, with a reputation for producing high quality talent that go on to power the global travel trade.”
With over 34 years of experience in aviation training to international standards, SriLankan Aviation College offers a wide range of training options to the country and the region on multiple aviation disciplines. The college is certified by EASA, IATA, International Organization for Standardization (ISO), the Civil Aviation Authority of Sri Lanka, the Civil Aviation Authority of Pakistan and the Civil Aviation Authority of Maldives. It is also a member of the Royal Aeronautical Society (RAeS) and the European Aviation Maintenance Training Committee (EAMTC). The college collaborates with world-renowned institutions to extend comprehensive aviation and corporate training programmes. For more information visit www.srilankanaviationcollege.com

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Photo captions

1 – SriLankan Aviation College, the training arm of SriLankan Airlines, has signed on to become Sri Lanka’s only International Air Transport Association (IATA) Regional Training Partner.

12/12/2023

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28/10/2023

With Premium Economy, the greatest comfort comes from the finest details.

25/10/2023

British journalists impressed with Sri Lanka’s Unique hospitality and breathtaking tourist attractions

Sri Lanka Tourism collaborated with Qatar Airways to promote Sri Lanka for British Travelers for Winter 2023/24.

Sri Lanka Tourism Promotion Bureau, under The Ministry of Tourism & Land joined hands with Qatar Airways- PR office for UK and Europe to invite Britain’s mainstream newspapers including The Sun, The Independent, Daily Mail, Daily Mirror, Daily Express and Daily Star. These highly regarded British publications circulate among 51million readers globally including

British public as well as European audiences via print & online.
This is the first time Sri Lanka Tourism collaborated with Qatar Airlines (UK & Europe) to welcome UK’s most recognizable daily and weekly news publications under SLTPB’s Visiting Journalists Program.
Within 7 days / 6 nights’ tour, journalists were taken to taken around a tour covering Colombo, Habarana, Sigiriya, Kandy, Nuwara Eliya, Ella, Weligama, Mirissa and Balapitiya to promote Sri Lankan Heritage, Culture, Wildlife, Scenic Beauty of nature, Beaches, Unique Hotels & Resorts and tourism industry in overall.

Hospitality industry partners including Mount Lavinia Hotel, Jetwing Hotels & Resorts, Cape Weligama, The Grand Hotel- Nuwara Eliya turnup to support SLTPB on this national promotion targeting UK and Europe.
By recalling his experiences about visiting Sri Lanka, Mr. Ben Borland, Scottish Editor- Daily Express:
“This is my first visit to Sri Lanka and it is a place I’ve always wanted to visit, so I’m very grateful to the Sri Lanka tourism promotion bureau for the invitation.
“We’ve seen elephants at Minneriya national park, climbed the stunning Sigirya rock fortress and visited Glenloch tea factory and Nuriya Eliya, which was like being at home in the English Lake District!
“The food has been delicious (the fish kottu roti was my favorite), the mountain scenery and beaches are spectacular and the famous Sri Lankan hospitality has been warm and welcoming.
“We’ve stayed in great hotels, especially Cape Weligama , The Grand Nuwara Eliya, The Mount Lavinia Hotel and Jetwing Vil Uyana as well as Calamansi Clove - Balapitiya. Overall, Sri Lanka Tourism has organized a memorable experience for us along with Qatar Airways -UK Team.

With the visit of these top tier journalists from The UK representing mainstream weekly & weekend news publications, Sri Lanka Tourism expect to create a positive buzz within the protentional British travel seeking audiences about destination Sri Lanka as The Island to visit in 2023/2024 winter. Another key focus of this media fam trip is to provide situational update about the island and increase overall awareness about the tourism products available in Sri Lanka including heritage dating back to thousands of years, culture, mouthwatering local cuisines, highly rich wildlife.
Ms. Kara Godfrey -Deputy Travel Editor of ‘The Sun’ which is UK’s one of the most popular tabloids, shared her personal experiences traveling around the island. ‘’ I was blown away by Sri Lanka, both its hospitality and its stunning landscape. Having been to over 40 countries, the country is definitely up there for being a favorite, having experienced fantastic cuisine, beautiful hotels and unique animal experiences. I was not expecting our hike up Sigiriya to be the highlight, but the 6am start was definitely worth it for the views! ‘’
On behalf of Qatar Airways, Regional Manager of UK & Ireland, Mr. Gary Kershaw, stated, “Sri Lanka is an important destination within the Qatar Airways network, growing in popularity with the UK market, thanks to its vibrant culture, delicious food and inviting people. It’s a popular destination for both leisure and business travelers alike, and Qatar Airways is happy to facilitate these journeys with up to five flights per day from its Doha hub, Hamad International Airport.
Qatar Airways currently flies to more than 160 destinations worldwide, connecting through its Doha hub, Hamad International Airport, voted by Skytrax as the ‘World’s Best Airport’ in 2021 and 2022 consecutively. This year, Hamad International Airport has been ranked by Skytrax as the second-best airport in the world, and received the ‘Best Airport in the Middle East’ accolade for the ninth time in a row, as well as ‘World’s Best Airport Shopping’.
Mr. Chalaka Gajabahu- Chairman Sri Lanka Tourism Promotion Bureau stated that ‘This is such a great accomplishment for us to collaborate one of the world best airlines today. In terms of earned media related promotions, we will be planning partner with all the international airlines flying to Sri Lanka including our national flagship career Sri Lankan Airlines’. Also, SLTPB will continue to promote Sri Lanka aggressively in the UK market and visit of these mainstream British media is part of the multiple campaigns expected to be undertaken over the final quarter of 2023.

18/10/2023

18/10/2023

58th Conference of Directors General Civil Aviation, Asia & Pacific Regions

The 58th Conference of the Directors General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) of ICAO Asia and Pacific Regions began at Dhaka, Bangladesh on 15th October through 19th with approximately the 500 delegates, representing 47 countries and 13 international organizations related to Civil Aviation.

The conference is being attended by Directors General of States in Asia-Pacific Regions, as well as official guests including ICAO President Salvatore Saquitano, Secretary General Juan Carlos Salazar, Regional Director Tao Ma and a team from the United States Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), and Transportation and Security Administration (TSA).

During the conference deliberating will cover various critical aspects of the aviation sector, including aviation safety & security, facilitation, air navigation, air transport development, environmental disaster prevention, capacity building, Next Generation Aviation Professional’s (NGAP) and their practical implementations.
The event focused to formulate the recommendations to enhance the region's aviation landscape. The Director General of Civil Aviation, Sri Lanka, Mr. P A Jayakantha too in attendance at this conference. He is also the Moderator for Aviation Security & Facilitation discussions.

Air Vice Marshal M Mafidur Rahman, The Chairman of the Civil Aviation Authority of Bangladesh (CAAB) presiding over the conference as the taking over Chairman.
Sri Lanka had hosted the 53rd DGCA Conference in the year 2016 with the President of Sri Lanka attended.

17/10/2023

Amen and namaste 🙌🏼🙏🏻

17/10/2023

SriLankan Airlines Crowned the Leading International Airline - South Asia at SATA 2023

17 October 2023; Colombo – SriLankan Airlines was crowned the Leading International Airline - South Asia at the South Asian Travel Awards (SATA) in Bangalore, India on 10 October 2023. SriLankan further secured the title of Leading Airline Class - Business Class at the awards ceremony. Touted as the most prestigious travel industry awards in the region, SATA recognizes the most outstanding performers in South Asia’s hospitality and travel industry annually based on the votes of industry professionals and passengers.

Having also received the accolade of ‘Visitors Choice - Airline of the Year’ at last year’s SATA, SriLankan Airlines continues to prove its enviable position in South Asia with this year’s dual wins. SriLankan currently operates 140 flights between Colombo and multiple South Asian cities across India, the Maldives, Pakistan, Bangladesh and Nepal on a weekly basis.

Ravindran V, Regional Manager India, Bangladesh & Nepal of SriLankan Airlines commented on the wins stating, “We are profoundly happy to have our efforts valued by our South Asian associates. This region has been key to our progress and represents a significant percentage of SriLankan Airlines’ operations. Being recognized inspires us to remain and grow as a trailblazer in South Asia and give our customers the best in Sri Lankan service and connectivity as we move forward into the future.”

The airline’s extensive South Asian network covers key points pan India including Chennai, Mumbai, Bangalore and Delhi; Karachi and Lahore in Pakistan; Kathmandu in Nepal; and Dhaka in Bangladesh. SriLankan Airlines is moreover the only international carrier to operate to both Male and Gan Island in the Maldives to date, making it a preferred choice of passengers heading from Europe, the Middle East, India and the Far East to the picturesque Maldives.

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06/07/2023

06/07/2023

PRESS RELEASE
MISS TOURISM WORLD IN SRILANKA WITH 40 COUNTRIES...

State Tourism Ministry and United Women's Front presents Miss Tourism World 2023 with
participation of 40 Countries will be held in number of tourist cities in Sri Lanka including
Nuwara Eliya, Ella, Yala, Kandy etc from 20th to 31st July.
Press Conference was held recently at Cinnamon Grand with Hon. State Minister of Tourisnm,
Diana Gamage as the Chief Guest, and participation of large gathering including Private
Secretary to State Tourism Ministry, Dr. Arosha Fernando.
This initiative will assist in promoting tourism in Sri Lanka with 40 Countries and another
initiative of Hon. State Minister of Tourism, Diana Gamage in reviving the economic crisis in
Sri Lanka.

06/07/2023

The 67th Convention of TAAI kicks off in Colombo
partnered by SLTPB and SLAITO.
The 67th Convention of TAAI will be held in Colombo, Sri Lanka. This year, the Travel
Agents Association of India (TAAI) is set to host its 2023 Convention in the capital city of Sri
Lanka, Colombo from July 6-9, on the invitation from the Sri Lankan Tourism Promotion
Bureau (SLTPB), the main sponsoring partner of the event. The 67th Convention and
Exhibition in Colombo is being held in association with the Sri Lanka Association of Inbound
Tour Operators (SLAITO), the partner association.
"Every destination that has played host to the TAAI Convention in the past has seen tourist
numbers surge at least quadruple since TAAI members serve as ambassadors of tourism. This
Convention is the right opportunity for improving bilateral tourism the theme of the Convention
is 'Transcending Borders, Transforming Lives' and will focus on promoting regional
tourism besides positioning Sri Lanka as a preferred destination among Indian outbound
travellers.
The opening ceremony of the convention will take place at Bandaranaike Memorial
International Conference Hall (BMICH) and his excellency Ranil Wickremesinghe, President of
Sri Lanka is expected to grace the occasion as the chief guest and Hon. Harin Fernando,
Minister of Tourism and Lands will be the quest of honour. The twO-day business sessions and
Cinnamon Grand Colombo and
Buyer-Seller meet mart will be conducted in two hotels
Shangri-La Colombo. The Sri Lankan theme dinner on day 2 will be held at the Cinnamon
Grand with the participation of Hon. Dinesh Gunawardena,, Prime Minister of Sri Lanka and
the closing Gala dinner will be held at the Heritance Negombo.
Apart from the convention, SLAITO member companies will host post-convention tours
covering destinations including Bentota, Galle and Kandy. TAAI has partnered with four airlines
including Sri Lankan Airlines, Air India, IndiGo and Vistara for the proposed convention in
Colombo.
TAAI Conventions (Indian Travel Congress) are the most eagerly awaited events in India's
Travel & Tourism industry. The huge visibility this annual TAAI event brings to the global
industry is fantastic. Around 500 delegates are expected to join the event in Colombo and are
offered the excellent opportunity to network; get updated; promote or buy and importantly

10/05/2022

An average size Croc for this canal (Hendala Canal).