Emirates makes Dubai even more attractive with ‘My Emirates Pass’ extension

Emirates is extending its popular My Emirates Pass programme to customers visiting Dubai this winter season. 

SLAITO and THASL hail promotion plan of Sri Lanka Tourism

In a joint communique, The Sri Lanka Association of Inbound Tour Operators (SLAITO) and The Hotel Association of Sri Lanka (THASL) appreciated the efforts by Sri Lanka Tourism Promotions Bureau (SLTPB) and Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority (SLTDA) to expedite the Digital advertising campaign planned for early 2018 and the global advertising campaign scheduled for mid of this year.

2017 safest year on record for commercial passenger air travel

REUTERS:  Airlines recorded zero accident deaths in commercial passenger jets last year, according to a Dutch consulting firm and an aviation safety group that tracks crashes, making 2017 the safest year on record for commercial air travel.

Sri Lanka enjoys success at 25th TT Warsaw Travel Show

Sri Lanka Tourism Promotion Bureau recently participated at TT Warsaw International Travel Show 2017 together with the Sri Lankan Embassy in Warsaw, Poland with key travel industry members from Sri Lanka. 

Melania’s birth country Slovenia sees strong tourism growth

REUTERS:  Slovenia, birth country of U.S. First Lady Melania Trump, expects revenues from foreign tourists to jump by about 9 percent this year and by at least 5 percent in 2018, Economy Minister Zdravko Pocivalsek said recently.

SQ’s new A380 cabin products debut on Sydney route

Customers travelling between Singapore and Sydney have become the first to experience Singapore Airlines’ all-new cabin products, with the entry into service of its recently-delivered Airbus A380 aircraft equipped with the new seats and in-flight entertainment system.

Coffee, tea or bikini? VietJet stands by racy calendar in face of criticism

REUTERS:  Vietnam’s VietJet Aviation said last week it was standing by a controversial “bikini” calendar, a marketing ploy featuring scantily clad female models that has prompted criticism in conservative Southeast Asia and beyond.

Qatar Airways ‘remains committed’ to expanding global network: Al-Baker

Gulf News: Qatar Airways “remains committed to expanding our global network and taking our passengers anywhere in the world they wish to go”, said Group Chief Executive Akbar al-Baker as the national carrier celebrates a successful year of tremendous growth, network expansion and record-breaking award wins.

Macau casinos post first annual revenue gain in 3 years`

REUTERS: Gaming revenue in the Chinese territory of Macau rose for the first time in three years in 2017 as high-end punters’ appetite for gambling recovers after a protracted government campaign against shows of wealth among public officials and slowing economic growth. 

Calamander Unawatuna celebrates Christmas in style

Calamander Unawatuna Beach is celebrating Christmas with an array of dining, shopping and entertaining events for the week of the festive season from December 23rd to 31st.

Emirates celebrates ‘Year of Zayed’ in-flight and in the air

Emirates will be sharing the legacy of the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan to a global audience in 2018.

UTE helps to boost Golf Tourism

United Tractor and Equipment (UTE), the local distributor for the world-renowned Caterpillar brand of equipment hosted the annual Caterpillar Far East Dealers Association Conference (CFEDA) for 50 overseas delegates from Caterpillar and their South-East Asian dealers, including India and China at the Shangri-La Hotel, Colombo recently.

Sri Lanka Tourism taps high-end luxury French travellers

Sri Lanka Tourism Promotion Bureau ventured into the world’s most prestigious global travel event International Luxury Travel Mart (ILTM) Travel and Tourism Fair which took place from the from December 4th to 7th 2017 in Cannes, France.

Etihad Airways announces Casablanca as new Boeing 787 Dreamliner destination

Etihad Airways is to operate its flagship Boeing 787 Dreamliner on the Abu Dhabi – Casablanca route, effective May 1st 2018.

Emirates flight catering: A dedicated facility which is world’s largest

Emirates Flight Catering (EKFC), the Emirates Airline’s catering facility in Dubai, the largest of its kind in the world, has a capacity of preparing over 175,000 meal trays a day, although it was initially ready only for 115,000. 

SIA and Silkair to introduce new airfare pricing

Singapore Airlines and SilkAir will be introducing a new airfare pricing structure next month, with revisions to advance seat selection, frequent flyer programme mileage accrual rates, baggage allowance, and change and refund flexibility for some fare types.

Oman Air wins double at World Travel Awards

Oman Air, the national carrier of the Sultanate of Oman, has been awarded ‘World’s Leading Airline – Economy Class’ at the World Travel Awards. 

Miss Intercontinental of Netherlands enthralled by Sri Lankan hospitality

Miss Intercontinental of Netherlands 2017, Cathelijne Heppenhuis who was on a special two-week visit to Sri Lanka organized by Aitken Spence Travels, expressed her enchantment with the island, saying “I loved the hospitality of the Sri Lankan people where they would always smile and say hi….This has made me feel as if this is one big family. This is also an opportunity for people from Netherlands to learn from Sri Lankans where the S

Singapore Airlines’ first A380 with new cabin products arrives

Singapore Airlines’ first Airbus A380 aircraft fitted with all-new cabin products arrived in Singapore this morning from the Airbus Delivery Centre in Toulouse. The aircraft touched down at Changi Airport at 1000hrs following a 13 hour flight. An arrival ceremony was graced by students from Metta School, as well as other distinguished guests who had the opportunity to tour the newest addition to the Singapore Airlines fleet.

Hong Kong Airlines’ first flight to Los Angeles takes off

Hong Kong Airlines recently commenced its new service to Los Angeles, further cementing its growing presence in North America, following the launch of a daily service to Vancouver earlier this year. 

Anantaya Resorts & Spas recognized at World Luxury Hotel Awards

Reinstating its claim to superior luxury hospitality services, Laugfs Leisure’s luxury hotel chain, Anantaya Resorts & Spas won high honours at the annual World Luxury Hotel Awards 2017, hosted at the Kulm Hotel St. Moritz in Switzerland recently. 

Emirates to launch London Stansted service from June

Emirates has announced that it is to launch a new daily route from Dubai (DXB) to London Stansted (STN) on 8 June next year.

Costa Neo Classica makes second port call to Sri Lanka

Costa Neo Classica, the 722-foot beauty with a crew of 610 called to Colombo port earlier this month and returned around at 5:00p.m. on the same day to India. Costa Neo Classica had 1200 passengers on board and 600 passengers joined for excursions in Sri Lanka. The itinerary included a visit to Pinnawala Elephant 

Heritance Ahungalla wins TUI Top Quality 2018

The five-star Heritance Ahungalla, part of the premier hospitality chain Aitken Spence Hotels, was lauded with the coveted TUI Top Quality 2018 award from TUI Germany, the largest leisure, travel and tourism company in the world.

Ebert Silva double-decker buses dressed up for X’mas season!

Colombo City Tour Double-Decker Buses operated by Ebert Silva dressed up for Xmas commenced a special service for the Xmas Season. In the picture Tourism Minister John Amaratunga is seen inaugurating the special service. The bus will take tourists from the city hotels to the Xmas Fest and the Arcade and the Xmas street at the Green-path.

Prime Minister visits Dedduwa tourism zone site

Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe visited the site of the proposed Dedduwa Tourism zone site in Bentota, yesterday. 

Sri Lanka named as most popular destination on Eurasia review

Sri Lanka is placing its name on the global map as a sought after destination by various international news feature reviews, as Eurasia review mentioned Sri Lanka as the most sought after destination in Asia with reference to the 2018 Virtuoso Luxe–Australian report.

THASL invests in the future of hospitality management

The Hotels Association of Sri Lanka (THASL) was recently invited to conduct a session on hospitality management to over 200 deputy principals at the Ministry of Education.

The Calm Resort and Spa wins TripAdvisor Travellers’ Choice

The Calm Resort and Spa in Pasikuda, the truly captivating, 70-roomed beachfront property of Browns Hotels and Resorts has been recognised as TripAdvisor’s Travellers’ Choice awards for hotels in 2017.

Importance of maritime security in journey to become a maritime hub

Strategically located at a key midpoint for trade and as a major logistics hub for naval and coastguard visits from around the world, the potential for Sri Lanka’s role in regional maritime affairs knows no bounds. At present, the Port of Colombo, Sri Lanka’s main maritime gateway, primarily handles container transshipment in the Indian Ocean.