Tourism promotes a carbon-free Sri Lanka

Sri Lanka Tourism working with the Rotary Movement in Sri Lanka, has launched a programme for greening Sri Lanka working it carbon-free under its “Towards a Carbon Clean Sri Lanka, Tourism Earth Lung Programme.”

England Cricket Captain Michael Vaughan and Vice Captain Paul Collinwood along with Sri Lanka Cricket Captain, Mahela Jayawardena and Vice Captain Kumar Sangakkara, were invited to the launch.

At the Launching of the green campaign by planting the Sri Lanka’s national tree, Na at the Asgiriya Grounds in Kandy, the venue of the first test match Jayawardena match, said that they are happy to be a part of this worthy cause.

“Our country is 47% green and not stopping at that, we should improve upward gradually so that many more would visit our pleasant country.

I am happy that we are getting involved in this campaign and we are willing to contribute in every manner. We should do more to make Sri Lanka a 100% eco-friendly nation”, Jayawardena said.

The programme aims to plant 10 million more suitable trees with expert advice, of this botanists mobilising thousands of schoolchildren and people from all over Sri Lanka over the next five years.

The Earth Lung initiative is recognised by the UN World Tourism Organisation as a pioneering and proactive attempt in working towards mitigating the effects of global warming and climate change.

Through this programme Sri Lanka Tourism seeks to work with all stakeholders on preventing deforestation, taking on significant efforts at reforestation, mitigating pollution, encouraging cleaner production and utilising energy saving resource use.

“Safety of our visitors is first on Sri Lanka Tourism’s agenda and believe that Sri Lanka as a destination, can work towards minimising the negatives and work on the positives we hold on that premise.

Programmes to make Sri Lanka greener and mitigate negative environmental effects is one such programme”, said Managing Director of the Sri Lanka Tourism Promotion Bureau, Dileep Mudadeniya.

Top rating for Aditya

Audley Travels - a leading high end tour operator into Sri Lanka based in the UK has given Aditya the highest rating amongst all the properties it uses in the entire SAARC region which also includes some of the fabulous palace properties of India.

“This is better than some SAARC hotel ratings”, said Managing Director of the hotel. Husain Dawoodhboy - we have a repeater cliental both locally and internationally he added.

Aditya has established itself as one of the Sri Lanka’s finest boutique properties. Constructed at a cost of US$ 2 million Aditya offers its guests a personalized private luxurious and sensual experience.

All suites are spacious (1000 sq ft) and come equipped with all the conveniences of a star class property as well a private plunge pool in every suite.

Occupancy levels at Aditya have more than doubled in 2007 compared with 2006 in-spite of the adverse conditions for tourism in Sri Lanka. The property has been very highly rated by guests as well as several independent websites such as www.tripadvisor.com.

Ratan new Taj area director

Saurabh Ratan has been appointed as the Area Director for Taj Hotels, Sri Lanka.

Ratans career in the hotel and tourism industry spans over 20 years with 7 years of experience in the Taj Group alone.

Commencing his appointment in Sri Lanka in November of 2006, Ratan brings with him a wealth of knowledge including that expanded from his previous appointment as General Manager of Taj Residency, Bangalore.

India’s economic stance of rapid growth poses a variety of complexities including those of aggressive brand building against international class market entrants. Ratan, in his tenure in Bangalore was able to reposition and steer Taj Residency into being the preferred premium business hotel in the city.

Saurabh Ratan’s sound educational foundation includes a Post Diploma in Advanced Hospitality Management and Dip in Hotel Management, Catering Technology and Applied Nutrition from IHMCTAN, Mumbai.

His recent awards also include the CII Leadership and Excellence Award for Safety, Health and Environment 2004 and the coveted Incredible India - National Tourism Award for the year 2003 and 2004 by Department of Tourism.

He was also awarded the Young Hotel General Manager of the Year 2004 by the Federation of Hotel and Restaurant Associations of India at only 38 years of age!

Since taking over Taj Samudra just a short 12 months ago, Ratan has clearly put in motion the best of his abilities with the successful launch of “Latitude” the city’s newest all day dining restaurant and he has also been instrumental in the launch of the hotels super luxurious Executive Floor.

Ratan reaffirms the Taj groups confidence in Sri Lanka and is optimistic of the countrys ability to develop tourism inspite of the temporary setbacks.

In this light Ratan assures that the group is currently upgrading the quality of product in keeping with increasingly sophisticated client requirements at all three properties - the Taj Samudra, the Taj Exotica and the Taj Airport Garden, a press release states.

Holiday Inn opens Oasis Lounge

Holiday Inn Colombo opened The Oasis Lounge’s recently, which includes a unique new computerised jukebox.

This first for Sri Lanka allows guests to pick from thousands of songs of favourite artists.

“With the Juke, the best music of the sixties, seventies, eighties, nineties and the present is just a mouse-click,” said Director of the Hotel S. Shanthikumar.

“Whether you want to chill out after a hard day’s work, set the mood for a special date or wanted to celebrate the weekend, you’ll find just what you’re looking for.

There’s pop, rock, hip-hop, reggae, dance, house, soul, R and B and lots more. There’s everything from the Beatles to the Black Eyed Peas, Norah Jones to Nirvana,” he added.

The Oasis Lounge has many other great features, besides the fabulous music. “You can try out the bar’s great new range of cocktails while you listen, or play a game or two on the ruby red pool table, or simply sit back, chat with friends, nibble on a tasty snack and let the stylish relaxed ambience work its magic on your senses.”

Open from eleven a.m. to twelve midnight the Oasis Lounge is the perfect place to have a drink after work, before dinner, or at the start of a night out clubbing, hotel sources said.