Category: Tourism

A top-rung tourism taskforce is already monitoring the ongoing political chaos and to map out salvage plans in the event of a worsening crisis. ldblquote We had a meeting in the trade today and what we have decided for the moment is to allow normal operations to continue. So far there is no serious cause […]

Britain has issued a travel advisory to Sri Lanka and the up-coming tour of the English cricket team put off as the country slipped further into political chaos.rnrn rnThe warning to avoid travelling to the country follows the Presidents sacking of three key Ministers on Tuesday, and the taking over of the portfolios of Defence, […]

lquote Countdown to takeoff; passengers are now boarding for the first commercial Hot Air Balloon flights, taking off over Sigiriya this Saturday.The first commercial balloon flights were given the go-ahead on Tuesday, to start flights over some of Sri Lankas key tourist towns.rn rnldblquote We hope to commence our inaugural flights over Dambulla-Sigiriya and from […]

SriLankan Airlines will add two more A340s to its fleet to cater to growing passenger numbers in the coming winter season. The fleet expansion will allow SriLankan to add eight more frequencies to key European destinations and Malaysia.rn rnOfficials say they are anticipating a significant pick up in demand on the routes where frequencies were […]

Cathay Pacific could add a fifth flight to Sri Lanka, with cargo and passenger numbers picking up. Airline officials here to celebrate 10 years of operations out of Sri Lanka, say demand in and out of the country is moving up with the peace process taking root. rn rnA bulk of Cathays business out of […]

Banyan Tree on Friday picked up its third Sri Lankan leisure venture, taking up a majority holding in John Keells Holdings Beruwala Walk Inn, the parent company of Hotel Swanee. The global leisure industry giants paid Rs.47.75 per share for the 69.9% stake and will now work with JKH to refurbish and reposition the seaside […]

The Treasury on Wednesday confirmed it would sell its 64% stake in Hilton Colombo. The holding company of Hilton Colombo, Hotel Developers (Lanka) Limiteds Chairman Ajith Dias told shareholders that the the Treasury will dispose its holding as part of its economic reforms programme.rn rnAnalysts say the state will look for a strategic buyer to […]

The Ceylon Hotels Corp. (CHC) is knocking on the Treasurys door for a Rs.59 mn loan to upgrade its properties.Part of the funds will also be utilised to pay off a Rs.19 mn early retirement package the corporation offered earlier this year to send home 51 employees, CHC Chairman, Bodhi Liyanage said.rn rnCHC, a government […]

Batey, a top regional public relations company, is to take over the state tourism promotion agency early next year. The company singled out by the Prime Minister is waiting for the fine print in their contract to be sorted out according to officials.rn rnBatey, the creator of lquote the Singapore girl for Singapore Airlines and […]

Thai resort and spa chain lquote Six Senses is in talks with John Keells Holdings, to develop a luxury tea spa on a 600-acre stretch of Maskeliya Plantations.ldblquote Talks are still in early stages and if its successful, the chain will invest as much as Rs. 2 bn to develop the property into a tea […]

Sri Lanka is beginning to put in place its tourism infrastructure, with eight key areas around the island and four zones in the North and East tagged for initial development.A US$ 60 mn JBIC loan is on the cards to develop infrastructure like roads and utilities like electricity, water supply, sewerage systems and waste disposal.rn […]

John Keells Holdings entered the property market with a bang by taking a stake in Asian Hotels for Rs. 4 bn.The acquisition of the 60 percent stake gives JKH control of the Colombo Plaza hotel while Asian Hotels also owns a significant stake in the Trans Asia hotel.rn rnThe hotel acquisitions will show up the […]