Sri Lanka Package Holidays

Leave the Cities and Head for Somewhere Quieter

2011-02-11T04:12:00.001-08:00

When most people think about visiting Sri Lanka, they think of the obvious places to visit. We’re talking about towns, cities and familiar tourist destinations you would be sharing with lots of other tourists from all over the world.

But Sri Lanka hides some real gems away from prying eyes and if you have the determination to go and find them, you will be rewarded with an experience you wouldn’t have believed was possible. It is perfectly possible to go and find the real side of Sri Lanka – a side you haven’t yet discovered or uncovered for yourself.

One of the ideal places to begin this journey of the real Sri Lanka is Ella. Ella is a village that isn’t even known to many tourists, and even less of them actually make the effort to go there. Perhaps this is because there isn’t much to see or entertain you – but then, that would be missing the point entirely.

Ella is situated up in hill country and that gives it one thing that many other locations in Sri Lanka simply don’t have – spectacular views. Many walkers choose it as a base because of the plethora of walks that can be undertaken from here. It may seem hard to believe at first that the village was without electricity until a little over twenty five years ago, but once you see it for yourself you can see how this could have occurred.

Not everyone coming to Sri Lanka is coming to see the masses of traditional tourist attractions and famous cities. Some are coming to see the real Sri Lanka, the one that pokes through in villages such as Ella. This is the real thing and the real reason why you should visit. Being able to explore the surrounding hills, valleys and countryside is the main attraction in Ella, and for many it will be more than enough. What else could you imagine than simply sitting and watching the sun come up and appreciating every moment? These are the moments you will remember long after you come home.

Visiting Kandy in Sri Lanka

2011-01-12T06:46:00.001-08:00

Every country has places that are worth visiting and yet somehow are not among the best known venues that the country has to offer. Kandy probably falls under this heading for Sri Lanka. It is definitely a top place to visit because it has a lot of sights that are worth seeing. Yet it is not one of those instantly recognisable places that people will think of when they are thinking about Sri Lanka.

So let’s take a closer look to see whether there are any particular benefits to seeing this place for yourself if you are considering a holiday in Sri Lanka. Firstly it is a capital of sorts – the main city in the Hill Country of Sri Lanka. Indeed while Colombo is the city that many will instantly think of when talking about Sri Lanka, Kandy comes in a very close second in many ways.

One of the most notable things about Kandy is the height it sits at. Perhaps this was one of the reasons why the Sinhalese Kingdom took it as its capital in the past. It certainly has a presence that is hard to deny.

Perhaps it is the history of Kandy, coupled with its undeniable beauty, which has made it a firm favourite among tourists who know it is there. The Temple of the Tooth is arguably the main venue to visit when you are in Kandy. It dates from the 17th century and it is believed that one of the Buddha’s teeth is held here. No one can be sure but a great and understandable degree of respect is held for the tooth.

Elsewhere in Kandy you can see the Royal Botanical Gardens. This is another chance to see some greenery in Kandy, although the city itself nestles within a belt of green land that is ideal for walks and exploration.

As you can probably tell, Kandy is essentially unmissable. You cannot deny that the Temple of the Tooth holds a degree of curiosity, and you can learn much about the history of the whole country here too, and not just Kandy itself.

Sri Lanka Is Enjoying A Surge In Popularity

2010-12-14T06:25:00.001-08:00

If you are heading out to Sri Lanka this Christmas – or perhaps shortly afterwards, in an effort to escape the colder weather in the UK – you might be interested to know that any chicken you eat may also have come from abroad to reach its Sri Lankan destination.

You see, Sri Lanka is enjoying a fantastic period of tourism at the moment. This has led to difficulties in some areas of being able to cater for everyone who visits Sri Lanka. This is quite an unusual event, to import chicken from other countries, but it just goes to show how popular Sri Lanka is at the moment. It would seem as though lots of people have decided that this is the place to spend Christmas this year.

When you consider how popular Sri Lanka is and how much it has to offer to people, it isn’t surprising to find that they now have to rely on importing certain food staples to cater for the rise in demand. And since you will be enjoying the chicken cooked to perfection by those who live and work in Sri Lanka itself, there is no danger of missing out on local specialities.

The growing popularity of Sri Lanka as a holiday destination was further cemented by the fact that the New York Times has voted it number one on their list of thirty one places to visit during 2010. Even though 2010 may be about to give way to 2011, you can do no better than to plan a visit to Sri Lanka during next year. With lots of different types of accommodation to stay in, Sri Lanka can appeal to every type of budget and holidaymaker. No matter where you want to go or what you would like to see, you won’t come up short when it comes to visiting this delightful location.

With everything from adventure holidays to wellness breaks, you can see that Sri Lanka really does have it all. And it has to be one of the best places in the world to visit an authentic tea factory as well. What could be better?

What Kind Of Sri Lankan Holiday Do You Want?

2010-11-12T00:32:00.001-08:00

It’s a good question to ask, because different people want different things out of their holiday. Some people like to visit major areas so they can see as many sights as possible. To miss out on anything would be a sin, so they head for the cities and the main popular tourist areas to make the most of everything they can.

Then there is another group – a group that is looking for a different side of Sri Lanka. This side is there to be found, but not everyone looks for it. To get the most of it you must head for an area where there is a sparse selection of things to see and do. This group wants a peaceful and relaxing holiday, surrounded by very little except the basics of a good and relaxing break.

If you think you might fall into this second group of people, the city of Batticaloa might fit the bill for you. It lies on the eastern coast of Sri Lanka and it is not known for its landmarks or must see places. Getting to Batticaloa can be a journey of exploration in itself; many people speak of the journey they have taken to get there. Mountains, plains and jungles can be passed in order to get there, so if you like your holiday to start from the moment you touch down at the airport, you might enjoy the trip over to Batticaloa anyway.

When you get there you will be spoiled mainly by the beautiful beaches. This is a minimalist holiday destination so don’t expect to find too much to do. But this is exactly what suits so many people. Not everyone likes a holiday that contains a plethora of ways to relax, but when you see the beaches here you will want to do little else. There is every reason to want to spend the entire time relaxing on one of Sri Lanka’s outstanding beaches here, so if this is the break you want and need, why go anywhere else? It could be the perfect destination for a week abroad.

Booking a Tour to Sri Lanka

2010-10-14T02:47:00.003-07:00

If you are visiting a country or region you haven’t been to before, it can be difficult to ensure you see all the best sights so you can really make the most of your time there.

One of the best ways to solve the problem is to book a tour of some kind, and you can do this in Sri Lanka. The first thing to be aware of is that you can book lots of different kinds of tours depending on the kind of holiday you want to have. For instance there is nothing to stop you booking a completely guided holiday so you can sit back and let the experts show you all the best sights.

However it is possible to have the best of both worlds too. For instance you can book a safari tour in one of the national parks Sri Lanka is lucky enough to have. This is by far the best way to see all the wild animals, and indeed you cannot go alone on this kind of excursion anyway – not if you want to come back in one piece!

If you are booking a two week stay in Sri Lanka you could go on safari for one week and then head off on your own to another part of the country for the second week. This could give you the chance to see some of the major cities as well as the wilds of the country.

On the other hand you could be looking for a nice beach holiday instead. In this case you can still take advantage of a couple of individual day tours to various destinations. Think about where you would like to stay and do some research to see where some of the best local day trips are.

As you can see, Sri Lanka offers you the chance to take all kinds of tours. You can enjoy a private tour for a week or so with the opportunity to ride elephants all included, or you can just book the odd one day excursion here and there. Whatever kind of holiday you want, Sri Lanka can offer it to you.

Leave The Cities Behind And Head For The Parks

2010-09-14T05:50:00.001-07:00

Sri Lanka has so much to show you that it can be tricky knowing where to begin if you are visiting the area for the first time. However it is worth bearing in mind that Sri Lanka is lucky enough to have lots of national parks. One of these is the Yala National Park.

This has the designation of being the most popular park in the whole of Sri Lanka. This is quite an accolade when you consider there is one other park that is larger than Yala, and it has plenty of other contenders for the title as well.

But let’s take this fact at face value and try and figure out why so many people head there each year. What does the Yala National Park have to offer to its many visitors?

You would expect any national park in any country to have a selection of animals and birds to show off. Yala is no different in this respect. But it does have a huge selection that is very diverse, and this no doubt attracts a lot of people to it. You can see elephants here for one thing, as there is a huge conservation effort in Sri Lanka from their point of view. The park is also a huge draw for anyone wanting to see leopards in the wild.

As you can probably tell, this isn’t the kind of park you would go wandering around in on foot. If you are going to see the park you need to make sure you take your place on a proper safari. This gives you the opportunity to get as close as possible to all the animals, without getting into any danger in the process. If you have never been on a safari before Sri Lanka may not be the place you immediately think of going to. But as you can see, the Yala National Park can definitely make this particular dream come true.

There are many areas of Sri Lanka that can boast a national park. But Yala is definitely at the top of the list – and it is easy to see why.

Drinking Tea In Sri Lanka

2010-08-16T08:36:00.001-07:00

In some countries coffee is the main drink of choice. But when you visit Sri Lanka you will be able to experience a culture that is – if you’ll excuse the pun – steeped in tea.

This is the former Ceylon after all, from where some of the best tea in the world originates. So it would seem foolhardy and disappointing to visit the country and not embark upon something of a tea expedition while you are there.

Many Brits are drawn to drinking tea in Sri Lanka because they serve it very much as we do. Generally it will have milk and sugar included rather than drinking it black, but you can expect slightly warmed milk rather than splashing it in straight from the fridge as we do.

But this is only the beginning of your tea exploration duties on holiday in Sri Lanka. You can also visit the tea plantations and experience the very beginnings of where this drink comes from. It will certainly give you a whole new appreciation of the drink that wakes you up every morning.

Handunugoda is one of the best plantations you could head for while you are there. It is mostly famous for its white tea, which is so called because no one actually touches it during the process of cultivating, picking and processing it for consumption around the world.

The plantation consists of a hundred and fifty acres of land but only half of that is devoted to tea. The remainder of the plantation is taken up with other things. There are other plantations in Sri Lanka of course, but this one is rather famous and not just for the white tea. It also uses machinery that is over a century old, adding another layer of history and insight into the process of tea making in itself.

Tea is such an integral part of Sri Lanka and its livelihood and reputation that it would be a shame to overlook it while you are there. Whether you are a huge fan of tea or not, you should definitely go to the Handunugoda tea plantation to take a closer look.

Exploring The Wasgamuwa National Park

2010-07-15T06:08:00.001-07:00

Now there is a name you won’t forget in a hurry – even if you struggle to say it at first. This is one of the key locations that is well worth visiting while you are in Sri Lanka. Not only does it offer the chance to see flora and fauna of all kinds, it also holds the secrets of other lifetimes. There are many signs here of the way things used to be in the area many centuries ago, and this is one of the other main reasons why so many tourists and other interested parties often visit the park.

The Wasgamuwa National Park is reasonably centrally located with Sri Lanka. You can get ready for a six hour drive to reach it if you are travelling from Colombo, and it is only slightly closer than that to the airport in the country. However no matter how far you have to travel to reach it, the journey is always worth it when you arrive.

Elephants are just one of the wonderful animals you can see in the park. There are also bears and a couple of dozen other mammals, and you will spot many other delights in the park as well. Watch out for birds of all descriptions and lots of other types of flora and fauna too. There is no doubt that every inch of the Wasgamuwa National Park is covered in delights that are just waiting to be discovered.

If you are wondering whether you can stay in the park during your time in Sri Lanka, you will be delighted to know the answer is a positive one. There are various types of accommodation available throughout the park, and since it covers thousands of hectares you still won’t be worried by crowds. Make sure you book early if you can, as this will mean you get the best choice of accommodation to stay in.

It is quite possible to stay in the Wasgamuwa National Park for the duration of your time in Sri Lanka. Either that or you could have a split holiday, with one week in the park and another one spent on the beaches. What better combination could there be?

Staying In Nuwara Eliya

2010-06-16T04:36:00.001-07:00

If you have never been to Sri Lanka before, what would you expect to see once you got there?

The answer is that it depends on which part of Sri Lanka you want to visit. And if you fancy getting a taste of England while you are there you need to head for Nuwara Eliya.

The name of the location translates into City of Lights, which gives you a nice introduction to the place. But since it is also known as Little England you might be forgiven for recognising some of the delightful surroundings you will find yourself in once you arrive.

Make no mistake though – this is not just a carbon copy of England, far from it. You will see many mountains and lush valleys chock full of all kinds of greenery, and you would not necessarily see this in England. But you will see a town that was loved by the English during the Colonial period, and it was during this time that the Brits did what they could to make this a home from home.

It worked to a certain degree, and this is why you will get a certain familiarity when you visit Nuwara Eliya. Every now and then you get touches of home that definitely remind you of England. And of course if you don’t live in England and you want to get a taste of it while you are away abroad, Nuwara Eliya will provide that for you as well.

Some of the buildings here are definitely worth seeing and taking photos of. One of the best known of all is the Post Office, built to look like an English post office. As you will see there are many reminders of England here, and some say that when you arrive in Nuwara Eliya from another part of Sri Lanka, you will think you are in another place altogether.

This is truly a unique place to visit and stay in when you go to Sri Lanka. Make sure you see the surrounding country as well though, so you can really appreciate just how different Nuwara Eliya actually is.

About Adam’s Peak

2010-05-17T02:52:00.001-07:00

You may see Adam’s Peak referred to as Sri Pada while you are in Sri Lanka, since this is the name the Sri Lankans refer to it by. This is a holy mountain and it is definitely worth taking the time to visit it. It is renowned as the most famous mountain in all of Sri Lanka, and it doesn’t even have the advantage of being the tallest to get this title.

So why is Adam’s Peak of so much interest?

The answer to that question lies in a footprint. Right at the very top of the mountain there is a boulder, and that boulder has indentations within it that look strangely like a footprint. It is this footprint that has attracted the attention of so many people over the years. Interestingly enough the site has a holy significance – but this significance does not seem to be restricted to only one religion. For instance Christians find it as fascinating as Muslims do.

It is hard not to be entranced by the sight of this footprint once you eventually reach the top of the mountain. The Buddhists living in Sri Lanka believe that this footprint marks the point at which Buddha stepped onto the mountain. Christians, meanwhile, believe that the print is that of Adam, marking the point at which he first stepped onto the planet.

Whatever the history and truth behind this footprint actually is, there is no doubting the popularity of Adam’s Peak because of it. This spot has been worshipped and visited by millions of people over the course of many centuries, and it shows no signs of falling out of favour either.

There are three main ways to get up to the summit of the mountain. All of the trails are evaluated to be strenuous, according to the main website for the mountain. The trails take differing lengths of time to complete; the fastest you could expect to get to the top is in about five hours, while the longest time is around twelve hours. You can see then that this is no fast ascent – but the journey is definitely worth it.

Fancy A Spot Of Shopping?

2010-04-16T01:25:00.000-07:00

No matter how much time you want to spend on the beach in Sri Lanka, there will probably come a time when you want to do some shopping as well. At the very least there will be things to buy for the people back home, so you will want to spend some time browsing around the various stores and stalls that the country has to offer.

To this end it really doesn’t matter where you stay in Sri Lanka; you will always find yourself very close to some delightful stores and shops that stock all kinds of things for you to appreciate and buy. You may have heard of Ratnapura but if you visit this destination you’ll need to take a fair amount of money with you. This is where you can buy all kinds of gems and delights, many of them made into delightful items of jewellery to treat that special someone to. If you are visiting Sri Lanka on honeymoon this could be just the way to celebrate.

Elsewhere there are places like Mondy. This is a clothing outlet and you will find plenty of different types and styles of clothes here that will appeal to you. Whatever you think about the clothes you find you will be surprised at one thing – the prices. They really are rock bottom and you can find some sensational bargains here. You’ll find Mondy in Colombo so be sure you don’t miss it.

Be sure to browse the streets in Sri Lanka as well to look for all the market stalls that frequently take their place here. The best way to find the best ones for your needs is simply to wander around and take your time. There are stalls selling all kinds of things so you could end up going back to your accommodation laden down with bags of all kinds.

Sri Lanka has its share of sights, attractions and beaches that should not be missed. But shopping here is another experience altogether, and one that no tourist should miss. What will you be bringing home with you?

Reasons To Visit Negombo

2010-03-18T05:49:00.000-07:00

If you want to visit a great beach in Sri Lanka, you could do a lot worse than to visit Negombo. The beach available here was actually where the beach holiday in Sri Lanka first came about, and once you see what the beach looks like you will see why it has become so popular.

Many people visit it because of where it is – very close to the airport. If you are flying into or out of the country and you want to spend a day or two exploring Negombo before getting on with the rest of your holiday you can do so.

If you love your seafood you will have another reason to visit Negombo as well. The area is well known for its restaurants, and since the seafood is caught locally you can enjoy it just about as fresh as it could possibly be. Just imagine sitting back and enjoying the taste of prawns and lagoon lobsters (fresh from Negombo Lagoon) while you watch the world go by at its own pace.

While many people only enjoy a day or so in Negombo, thanks to its proximity to the airport, others spend their entire holiday here. This can be a very good idea since it tends to be quieter than some other touristy parts of Sri Lanka. If you want a beach based holiday without huge crowds, you would definitely be advised to give Negombo a try.

There is also a canal network running through the area which is still put to good use today. You can hop on an outrigger canoe and sit back while your guide explores the canal network, giving you the chance to see a different side of Negombo. These canals are still used to some extent by trade too, so you should see how various businesses go about their daily life in the town.

Located on the western side of Sri Lanka, Negombo is well worth seeing for more than just a one night stop over. Why not make it the base for your next Sri Lankan holiday and see whether you fall in love with it?

Visit One Of The Most Notable National Parks In Sri Lanka

2010-02-15T08:10:00.000-08:00

Most countries have national parks that are worth seeing. They provide an understanding of what the greener areas of those countries are all about, not to mention a chance to get away, relax and enjoy some greenery.

The Sinharaja Forest Reserve in Sri Lanka is one of the best national parks you could hope to see. For starters it is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, which should tell you just how important an area this is. It is also a biosphere reserve, which points to the fact that it is protected from many advancements of today’s world.

So what can you expect when you get there? Most areas and locations have their own peculiarities and features that cannot be easily found elsewhere. The Sinharaja Forest Reserve is very much like this and indeed more than half of the trees you will find there can only be found in this region. As a result some are exceedingly rare.

The area also gives you an opportunity to look for many birds and mammals which are prevalent in this area alone. And the wildlife isn’t the only stunning sight you will see here. The surroundings you will walk through and explore are simply amazing, and you will feel as if you are in another world altogether.

You will see natural cascading waterfalls gushing water into still pools. You can look down from some of the higher vantage points in the Sinharaja Forest Reserve and see how the rest of the reserve below looks from above. And you can also wander along paths which take you through those rare trees and past some of the more unusual looking birds and other animals which can be found there.

This is truly a discovery for everyone who sees it. The Sinharaja Forest Reserve is protected and isolated in a sense from the rest of the world. But we can go in and see it as we treat it with respect. This is truly a delight to behold and it provides you with a very humbling experience indeed.

Discover Colombo – And The Reasons Why You Need To Pay It A Visit

2010-01-14T02:21:00.001-08:00

When you head to a foreign country it is natural to go straight for the coast. But sometimes it pays to head into the cities as well, because you can discover a lot about the whole country there.

Colombo in Sri Lanka is no exception to this. It may be the economic hub of the country but it also has plenty to delight tourists with – not least the quirky bazaar district known as Pettah.

Pettah has lots to impress you with if you love shopping. Instead of staying indoors and visiting one of the huge malls you find in some countries, this enables you to stay outside and meet some of the locals. Stalls and bazaars are dotted around and encouraging you to take a closer look. If you want real souvenirs to take home instead of tacky ones, this could be just the place to find them. You’ll see everything from clothing to craft items made by local people here.

Laksala is another good place to go for bargain hunters. As with Pettah it has stalls and delights around every corner. You won’t find the prices excessive and the range of goods you can buy here is very impressive indeed. Be sure to browse round before deciding what you want to take home with you.

Of course you can still frequent the more modern mall here in Colombo. But you will probably prefer the bazaars you have already seen if you end up visiting both to compare them.

No visit to Colombo is complete without seeing the harbour. This is an extremely busy harbour and it is an important part of the whole country. It has transformed greatly since it was first opened back in the 14th century. While the modern equipment does not provide as romantic a picture as the way things were done in the past, it is still a wonderful place to visit to see how it all works.

So don’t miss out on Colombo when you head to Sri Lanka next. It has a lot to reveal.

The Sacred City Of Anuradhapura

2009-11-13T02:04:00.001-08:00

It makes sense that you would want to see the capital of the country you are visiting on holiday. But when you get a chance to see a capital that has been there for centuries you should definitely make a beeline for it.

This is the case in Sri Lanka, where the Sacred City of Anuradhapura first started life in the 5th century BC. It has not surprisingly been granted the status of a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and since this is not bestowed lightly it points to the capital as a must see destination.

So what can you expect to see when you arrive?

Well a tree might not be the first thing you would head for, but you should definitely search out the Bo tree. The whole city was constructed around this, and as such it forms the heart of everything you will see. This tree has been watched over by monks for centuries, and it is believed to be the oldest tree in the world.

There is plenty more to view once you arrive at the Sacred City though. The Archaeological Museum is a good place to start, since it will give you the best idea of how Anuradhapura has developed over the years. There are plenty of relics and exhibits here to complement the ruins of the city itself, so it provides a nice counterpoint to being outside among them.

But one of the most eye catching buildings of all can be seen long before you reach it. The Ruwanwelisaya is a stupa, or a place containing relics of Buddhism. This particular example is eye catching for the fact that it is white, and since it is a full 92 metres tall you can see that it is rather on the large side!

Other sights in the Sacred City of Anuradhapura include the Thuparama Vatadage – a shrine – and the Royal Palace. And with many more besides you can see that you could happily spend a whole day immersing yourself in the history and delights of this stunning city.

It is quite simply one of the best sights in the whole country.

Sri Lanka December tourist arrivals up over 50 percent

2008-01-15T04:58:00.000-08:00

The Sri Lanka Tourism Ministry said that December tourist arrivals to the country increased by 55.8 percent.

“Sri Lanka tourism which recovered after a year long slump since September 2006 out did its 20 percent growth in November 2007, with a 55.8 percent increase in December,” the Ministry said.

Arrivals that had decreased by 40 percent in May of last year, had picked up by year end, to finish the year with 494,008 arrivals narrowing the drop to 11.7 percent.

“January looked promising with the visiting Bohra Spiritual Leader and accompanying devotees filling up city hotel rooms at premium prices. The overflow of visitor demand in the city was also taken by Negombo, Wadduwa and Kalutara Hotels,” it said.

Tourism Minister, Milinda Moragoda hoped that 2008 as the year of consolidation. “Much effort will be laid on improving the quality of the tourism products while focusing on key markets such as India, Middle East, China and Russia that have shown a growth potential. Much will be done also to consolidate the conventional markets from Western Europe,” he said.

For more information click here

Sri Lanka Nightlife

2007-07-24T06:47:00.000-07:00

Sri Lanka is the location in South Asia with the most active night life. One stretch of Galle Road in Colombo has so many casinos that it resmebles Las Vegas.

Gambling is illegal some South Asian countries and Casinos are unheard of. Sri Lanka on the other hand has her fair share even though they are not allowed to call themselves Casinos. So they call themselves clubs but under the hood they are fully fledged casinos that never sleep.

Discos and 'real' night clubs are a plenty. Until recently most of the activity was at the five star hotels. But lots of watering holes, pool palours and bowling alleys have sprung up all over Colombo in recent years. So hang around till the sun comes up.

Last but not least, alcohol flows very very freely in Sri Lanka. While the sorrounding countries are mostly dry, Sri Lanka has probably the largest per capita consumption of alcohol in the whole of Asia. This is despite ban on it's sale on Full Moon days (A religious holiday). So you better stock up on the day before.

Sri Lanka Tourism to Score with Lankan Cricket

2007-04-30T08:59:00.000-07:00

Sri Lanka Tourism had played a major role in forming a Sri Lankan cheering squad in the Caribbean.

Tourist Board Chairman Renton de Alwis said yesterday that this has been carried out with the assistance of Sri Lankan High Commissioner in Washington.

Accordingly match tickets of 30 Sri Lankan students in the US who have currently travelled to Caribbean has been upgraded with the assistance of Tourist Board. “These students who were already in the West Indies were scattered all over in the stadium during matches but we have been able to get them in to one stand and thus created a cheering squad,” he added.

In addition various other items such as masks of Sri Lankan cricketers have been couriered to Caribbean to be used by the Sri Lankan fans. The lion which a lady had at the semi final match is one of those items sent according to him.

“The placards carry various slogans all centered around our promotional theme 'Sri Lanka, a land like no other,” he said. For instance, a placard showing Lasith Malinga's bleached-blond hairdo with the legend “a lad like no other” is being placed next to Sri Lankan masks, de Alwis said.

“Power of positive thinking is an effective thing,” he added.

Sri Lanka is using the cricket World Cup to lure holidaymakers as tourist arrivals have dipped by 16% in the first quarter this year.

“The exposure we have had during the World Cup is simply priceless for the country's image. The team's success has generated enormous awareness about the country. It's a shot in the arm for us,” de Alwis said.

An AFP report said Sri Lanka's image as a tourist destination has taken a beating since fighting between government troops and Tamil Tiger rebels surged in December 2005.In the three months to March this year, some 134,600 foreign tourists visited the island, a 15.6 percent drop over the same period in 2006, according to official figures.

March was the worst, with authorities reporting just 35,031 visitors, a 36.0 percent drop over the same month a year earlier.

“Hopefully, our cheer squads and creative visual material will attract more cricket fans to Sri Lanka when England tours the island in October,” de Alwis said.

Sri Lanka Tourism has rolled out a 500-million rupee (4.6-million dollar) campaign to promote Sri Lanka in India, Europe and China this year.

Sri Lanka Must Have Hotel Accommodations to Cater the Distinct Needs of the Saudi Muslim Tourists

2007-04-17T03:03:00.000-07:00

17 April 2007

Sri Lanka can increase present percentage of Saudi tourists, if it provides suitable locations which protect customs and practices of Saudis culture. Commercial Division of the Embassy of Sri Lanka in Riyadh, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia said about 75 percent of Saudis prefer to travel with their big families and to be in an isolated place with their family members. They like to stay in apartment type hotels and expect facilities like separated swimming pools.

The Commercial Division of the Embassy said therefore, it is necessary to encourage investors in the tourism sector to build apartment type hotels in order to attract tourists from Saudi Arabia and the Middle East. In addition building up of amusement parks and large shopping malls would be additional attractions to encourage more tourists from Saudi Arabia.

They further said a number of Saudis visit Eastern European countries for physiotherapy treatments. Sri Lankan spa owners and the travel promoters should create awareness campaigns among Saudis to attract more tourists.

Saudi Arabia is the eighth country in terms of number of tourists traveling aboard. Only 24 percent of Saudi tourists visit summer resorts in Saudi Arabia while 29 percent travel to other Arab countries and the 47 percent visit different destinations.

During every summer, Saudis visit other countries and their aggregate spending for foreign travel was over US$15 billion. In total about 70 percent Saudis visit foreign, countries as travelers.

During the period June to August in the year 2005 approximately 120,000 Saudis traveled overseas to spend their summer vacation.

“Their main destinations are Asian and European countries, the Embassy said.

During the year 2005 around 40,000 Saudis traveled to Malaysia and most of the rest spent their holidays in the EU countries such as France , UK, Switzerland , Italy, Austria and Germany. However only around 1400 Saudis visited Sri Lanka during year 2005.Most of them were in Sri Lanka to attend businesses and recruiting workers for their companies.

England Cricket Team’s Sri Lanka Tour Details Released

2007-04-02T04:14:00.000-07:00

30 March 2007

The dates for England cricket team’s tour of Sri Lanka this year have been released.

The One-Day International matches and the Test Series run between September and December, and the Sri Lankan Tourism board expects operators to start marketing packages around the tours.

The England team will arrive in Sri Lanka on September 25, and the One-Day International matches start on October 1.

The first Test Series match will take place between November 25 and 27, with the third and final one due between December 18 and 22.

Jean-Marc Flambert, Sri Lanka Tourism UK director, said: "In the past, we have attracted over 5,000 English cricket supporters to Sri Lanka as the games are being played in places of historical and cultural significance."

Host cities include Dambulla, Colombo, Moratuwa, Colts CC, Kandy and Galle.

One-Day Internationals

Sept 25: Arrival of England team
Sept 28: Warm-up match
Oct 1: First ODI (Dambulla)
Oct 2: rain reserve day
Oct 4: Second ODI (Dambulla)
Oct 5: rain reserve day
Oct 7: Third ODI (Dambulla)
Oct 8: rain reserve day
Oct 10: Fourth ODI (Colombo)
Oct 11: rain reserve day
Oct 13: Fifth ODI (Colombo)
Oct 14: rain reserve day

Test Series

Nov 15: Arrival of England team
Nov 20–22: Warm-up match (Moratuwa)
Nov 25–27: First-class match (Colts CC)
Dec 1–5: First Test (Galle)
Dec 9–13: Second Test (Colombo)
Dec 18–22: Third Test (Kandy)

Sri Lanka Records Growth in Tourism but Far Behind Targets

2007-01-18T04:14:00.000-08:00

Sri Lanka Tourist Board figures show that the arrival of tourists to Sri Lanka increased last year despite the country's escalating ethnic conflict. However, the tourist arrivals were far behind the targeted 600,000.

Some 549,308 tourists arrived in Sri Lanka in 2006. This is 10,295 more than the number of arrivals in 2005, said the Sri Lanka Tourist Board.

Tourist arrivals from India increased, while the high-spending Western European tourists declined in number over the past year.

Series of promotions launched by the Sri Lanka Tourist Board and the availability of a direct Sri Lankan Airlines flight attracted more Chinese tourists.

Sri Lanka Tourist Board together with the World Tourism Organization is organizing a Regional Workshop on Tourism Statistics and Tourism Satellite Account in Colombo, Sri Lanka, from 13-16 February 2007 especially for statistics professionals and managerial staff in tourism industry.

Tourism:Hoping for Summer After Bleak Winter

2007-01-09T08:00:00.000-08:00

The New Year brings good and bad news for the tourism industry as the Government renews efforts to promote Sri Lanka as a travel destination but hoteliers continue to suffer with falling occupancy rates.

As the travel advisories issued by many European countries seem to stand firm, only Britain has shown relative leniency on travel to Sri Lanka.

‘First Choice’, one of the largest outbound tour operators in the UK is scheduled to restart its charter flights to Sri Lanka next month after suspending flights in November 2006. However, if the tour operator does not have an acceptable load factor (number of passengers) it runs the risk of reconsidering these charter flights.

According to the Tourist Hotels Association of Sri Lanka (THASL) this situation can be very advantageous to the tourism industry at the present time since the charter flights would give credibility to Sri Lanka as a destination and the operator would push to fill all seats generating volume-business.

However not everything is going smoothly for tourism in Sri Lanka as hoteliers still fight for concessions from the Government and there is no improvement in occupancy rates. The THASL has requested the Tourism Ministry for a moratorium on loans taken by hotels, which according to many hoteliers is directly targeting the hotels affected by the tsunami.

THASL has also asked for a temporary exemption from VAT payments for a stipulated period of time to enable hotels to recover from the poor turnover during the peak season. Apart from low occupancy rates, the new electricity tariff which came into force has also victimized the tourism industry.

Although the new tariff has given some relief to industries, the Government has failed to recognize hotels as one that falls into the industrial category thus excluding the hotel industry from the benefits of the new tariff. The hotel industry is widely considered a ‘thrust industry’ and almost 100% of local raw materials are converted into services and products resulting in large turnovers which are predominantly in foreign exchange.

The hotel industry is also the fourth largest foreign exchange earner for the country making hoteliers feel unappreciated by the Government’s failure to recognize them as an industry. Meanwhile, the Government’s effort to put tourism back on its feet has not been completely unsuccessful. Plans have been made in consultation with the Tourism Ministry and the national airline regarding a direct consumer campaign in Britain which is scheduled to be launched in early 2007 while another one is being finalized for China and the Middle East.

This will be a partnership with a select number of UK tour operators on 50% cost sharing basis. The Ministry and the Tourist Board has assured that the funds for this campaign will be forthcoming from the Government.

Sri Lanka is also preparing to participate in the ITB tourism fair in Berlin with the Tourist Board and the Tourism Ministry making their best efforts to have 50% of the stall charges waived for participating companies.However the current political and military situation in the country sets up the tourism industry for another roller coaster ride of ups and downs during the year.

Lanka Tourism to Invest Rs One Crore to Woo Indians

2006-12-11T06:25:00.000-08:00

Sri Lanka Tourism Board will invest about Rs one crore in the next one year to increase awareness among people living in Tier-II cities of India about tourist destinations in the island country.

SLTB is committed to an investment to the tune of Rs one crore in 2007 to increase the destination visibility and recall in the Indian market, especially in Tier-II cities of the country, Sri Lanka convention bureau chairman M Haniffa Ishak told reporters.

Tourism industry is the fourth largest foreign exchange earner for Sri Lanka and India, with a 20 per cent share, is the leading contributor in terms of tourist arrivals.

"India today accounts for 20-25 per cent of the meeting, incentives, conference and exhibition (mice) segment, with about 28,000 Indians visiting Sri Lanka in 2005-06," he said.

The bureau would aim to further enhance the mice traffic from India through its `Meet in Sri Lanka` programme, he said, adding that it would offer incentives like discount on accommodation rates and air fares among other things.

Sri Lanka expects revenue earning from tourism to touch one billion dollars from the current level of 600 million dollars.

"Revenue would double as a result of increased tourist inflow, expected to touch one million by 2010 from the current figure of around 550,000," Ishak said.

Setting aside any security threat to tourists in the ongoing ethnic conflict between LTTE and the Sri Lankan government, Ishak said "Tourists are completely safe in Sri Lanka and till now no tourists has been attacked."

Taj Hotels Resorts And Palaces And Silversea Cruises Form A Strategic Marketing Alliance

2006-12-07T06:29:00.001-08:00

Cannes, Taj Hotels Resorts and Palaces, one of Asia’s largest and finest group of hotels, and Silversea Cruises, an Italian owned cruise company reflecting generations of maritime and travel experience, have entered into a strategic joint marketing alliance to develop cross-promotional opportunities for both companies to harness each other’s strengths in their respective markets of dominance. Furthermore, the alliance will help in building and strengthening the brand exposure for both Taj Hotels and Silversea Cruises.

Speaking on the occasion, Mr. Raymond Bickson, Managing Director & C.E.O., The Indian Hotels Company Limited, said, “This alliance will give us the opportunity to work with each other’s distribution networks and create awareness for each other’s brand.. This alliance will bring in a synergistic approach to the marketing efforts of two of the world’s finest hospitality brands.”

Mr. Manfredi Lefebvre D'Ovidio, Chairman, Silversea Cruises, added, “ We are thrilled to have formed this alliance which comes at the most opportune time when India’s tourist industry is booming with increased travel by Indians to domestic and overseas destinations. By creating an alliance with a hotel company that has similar brand positioning and quality of customer service to our own, we offer our guests reciprocal privileges and benefits that reflect the style and quality of the Silversea product”

Recognized as the defining elite luxury experience and regularly lauded by leading consumer and trade publications, Silversea Cruises owns and operates four ships namely Silver Cloud, Silver Wind, Silver Shadow and Silver Whisper. An innovator in the ultra-luxury segment, Silversea Cruises has become the favourite among modern affluent travelers with its all-inclusive pricing, and unmatched onboard product enhanced by partnerships with the world’s most respected luxury brands.

There are 19 hotels under the Taj Luxury Hotels portfolio. These include the legendary Taj Mahal Palace & Tower in Mumbai, Taj Lake Palace in Udaipur, Rambagh Palace in Jaipur, Umaid Bhawan Palace in Jodhpur and The Pierre in New York. Taj’s international portfolio consists of hotels spanning across regions like USA, UK, Australia, and Middle East and the Indian Ocean Rim. The Indian Ocean Rim has our Taj Exotica Resort and Spa, Maldives and Mauritius hotels.

The portfolio of hotels under Taj Luxury Hotels and ships under Silversea are destinations unto themselves. They share a mutual culture, which places a premium on offering high-quality service while maintaining the unique appeal of their respective products. The Taj Hotels – Silversea Cruises partnership will provide guests with a total of 19 hotels and 4 ships offering not only comparable service and quality, but also distinct experiences in unique destinations to choose from.

Supporting and enhancing the representation of both partners in different parts of the world, the Taj Hotels Resorts and Palaces - Silversea Cruises alliance will develop reciprocal and joint marketing activities that include undertaking of high profile joint marketing initiatives in designated market areas, developing and strengthening guest and client relationships through the affiliation and building brand awareness .

Sri Lanka to Set up a New Tourist Zone

2006-12-07T06:26:00.000-08:00

Dec 04, Colombo: Sri Lanka's Ministry of Tourism has launched a project to develop a new tourist zone in Kalpitiya on Sri Lanka's northwestern coast.

The project has been named the Kalpitiya Dutch Bay Island Project. It will be initiated on 5000 acres of land with a total expenditure of Rs. 350 million. The Sri Lanka Tourist Board will meet the total expenditure through the Embarkation Levy, which is being collected to fund development in consultation with the Ministry of Finance.

The Sri Lanka Cabinet last week granted approval to a memorandum in this regard presented by Minister of Tourism Anura Bandaranaike. The first and second phase of the infrastructure development for the Kalpitiya Dutch Bay Island Project will be awarded to the Urban Development Authority and will be undertaken by the State Engineering Corporation subject to approvals and clearances from the Central Environmental Authority, Coast Conservation Department, Ministry of Fisheries and Ministry of Defence.