TRAVEL / AVIATION

Aitken Spence unveils Six Senses Ahungalla

Six Senses Resorts & Spas, together with the Favourite Group and its associates has signed an agreement with Aitken Spence Hotel Holdings PLC, a subsidiary of Aitken Spence PLC to establish the first Six Senses property in Sri Lanka. It is a Board of Investment approved, 50:50 joint venture worth US $ 35-40 million.

The project will comprise a Six Senses resort and spa as well as beach front residential villas on a 10.5-acre plot, both adjoining Heritance Ahungalla on the Southern coast and on a 27-acre island nearby. The proposed opening date is 2012. Six Senses expects the average revenue per room to be in the range of US D 400 to 450.

Six Senses Resorts & Spas Chairman and CEO Sonu Shivdasani said he is delighted to be opening a Six Senses resort in Sri Lanka, a wonderful country which Six Senses has been interested in for some time.

"To be working with Aitken Spence on such a project and in such a beautiful area of Sri Lanka is doubly exciting. Aitken Spence shares the core values which Six Senses is based upon, a full commitment to supporting both the environment and local communities, whilst developing a successful luxury operation," he said.

Six Senses currently operates thirteen high-end resorts branded as Soneva, Six Senses and Evason in the Maldives, Thailand, Vietnam, Oman and Jordan. There are also several new developments underway in locations such as Morocco, Turks and Caicos and China.

The Six Senses Spa division has twenty-seven company-operated spas, with new spa developments underway in several locations, including India, Morocco and Oman. The group recently launched the Six Senses Destination Spa brand.

Aitken Spence Deputy Chairman and Managing Director J M S Brito said they are extremely pleased to bring Six Senses to Sri Lanka.

"The entry of a high-end international resort operator with a truly exceptional track record in sustainable tourism certainly strengthens Sri Lanka's destination brand," he said.

"The journey that commenced with Six Senses to create Sri Lanka's best beach resort sees a key milestone today. Both Aitken Spence and Six Senses share a common philosophy for tourism based on sustainable development. Aitken Spence Hotels has an enduring commitment to cause unforgettable experiences to our guests in tune with nature. We look forward to continue working on exceptional projects with Six Senses in the future", Aitken Spence's hotels sector Managing Director Malin Hapugoda.

The project will look to use locally sourced materials and labour, reducing the construction footprint and supporting local commerce. Six Senses Ahungalla will feature produce and materials from the region.

Six Senses villas are designed to exceed the highest expectations of guests. Offering all the comforts of a home away from home, the villas offer a diversity of experiences to be discovered by the guests. From an architectural perspective, the villa components have drawn their inspiration from the region's world-famous architect, late Geoffrey Bawa.

Materials for interior design will, where possible, be sourced locally and reflect traditional handicraft techniques indigenous to the area. The resort will also look to establish a collective amongst the local farmers to supply fresh fruit and vegetables.

The project will comprise a total of 40 one-bedroom villa suites and 14 two-bedroom beach front residential villas in Ahungalla as well as 15 island villas.

A special feature of Six Senses Ahungalla will be the Six Senses Spa. A team of highly skilled international therapists will take guests on sensory journeys with Six Senses' signature and local salt-inspired treatments for balancing the senses. The Six Senses Spa, located between Six Senses Ahungalla and Heritance Ahungalla, will serve both the resorts; making it the best beach resort complex in Sri Lanka.`

Cathay Pacific holiday package

Cathay Pacific Airways treats travellers to a fun-packed holiday getaway to Bangkok through an exclusive package with an array of value-added benefits to their friends and family.

This special package, includes a return economy class air ticket, two night's hotel accommodation with breakfast, return airport transfers, choice of one meal voucher at KFC or 45 minute foot massage to be redeemed in Bangkok, complimentary SIM card, city tour and many more.

Travellers can book tickets until October 20 and travel until the October 31, 2010.

Cathay Pacific Sales and Marketing Manager Ruhan Abbas, said the airline ensures convenient flight schedules three times a week to Bangkok; Monday, Wednesday and Friday, which enables travellers to make the most of their trip in this dynamic city.

'We believe in providing service straight from the heart on ground as well as on-board, for which we have garnered recognition," she said. -

Singapore Airlines to expand to South America in 2011

Singapore Airlines (SIA) will make its maiden flight to South America next year when it opens a route to Sao Paulo in Brazil, the airline announced Thursday.

Thrice-weekly flights to Guarulhos International Airport via Barcelona in Spain will commence in March 2011, SIA said in a press statement.

"Singapore Airlines has been eyeing opportunities in the fast-growing South American market for some time," said Bey Soo Khiang, SIA's senior executive vice president of marketing and corporate services. "We are pleased to be able to add a sixth continent to our route network and be the only airline offering direct flights between Southeast Asia and Brazil."

"We are very excited about this new service which will help boost ties between Singapore and Brazil and pave the way for enhanced trade, tourism and travel links between Asia and South America," Bey added. SIA's route network currently spans 93 destinations in 38 countries across five continents.

United, Continental finalize mega-merger

United Airlines and Continental Airlines announced Friday they had completed their merger that creates the world's biggest carrier.

The new firm begins trading on the New York Stock Exchange as United Continental Holdings, with the symbol UAL.

"This is a true merger of equals, bringing together two strong companies and positioning us to succeed in a dynamic and highly competitive global aviation industry," said Glenn Tilton, the United Airlines chief who is the non-executive chairman of the new firm. "This sets us on a path to create the world's leading airline from a position of strength, with one of the industry's best cash positions, industry-leading revenues and a competitive cost structure."

Continental and United announced an all-stock merger of equals on May 3. The new airline will serve more than 144 million passengers per year with 370 destinations in 59 countries.

United and Continental each had revenues of more than three billion dollars in 2009 but each reported losses.

The deal brings United's strong Asian presence with Continental's extensive links to Europe and Latin America, a tectonic shift in an industry battling to survive a sluggish economy.

The deal comes as airlines around the world are struggling with fallout from the worst recession in a generation, terrorism and costs brought on by an Icelandic volcano which forced the suspension of thousands of flights.

AFP