CICT promotes Port of Colombo at elite maritime forum in Hong Kong

The role of the Port of Colombo in facilitating imports and exports and supporting trade with India and other subcontinent countries was expounded upon by Colombo International Container Terminals (CICT) in a recent presentation to the 2017 Asian Logistics and Maritime Conference (ALMC).

New dedicated feeder service starts between Yangon and Colombo

A new dedicated feeder service on the Yangon-Chennai-Colombo-Yangon sector commenced with the Port of Colombo. The first vessel under the new service, MV Sea Perl, made her maiden call at the Sri Lanka Ports Authority (SLPA)-controlled Jaya Container Terminal (JCT) on December 18, 2017. 

Validation of ‘Colombo Hub’ concept biggest achievement this year: SriLankan CEO

Reviewing the airline’s operation in 2017, which he termed a “tough year”, SriLankan Airlines CEO Suren Ratwatte said the biggest achievement of the year was the validation of the ‘Colombo Hub’ concept. 

Sri Lanka Tourism online licensing wins E-Swabhimani award

The Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority (SLTDA) was adjudged the winner in the ‘Government and Citizen Engagement’ category at the E-Swabhimani award ceremony, organised by the Information Communication Technology Agency (ICTA), at Hotel Galadari in Colombo recently.

Uga Bay and Chena Huts win two South Asian Travel Awards

The Uga Escapes hotel chain, one of the island’s most diverse, exclusive and opulent, swept away two awards at the South Asian Travel Awards held recently in Male, Maldives.

Browns Hotels and Resorts bring luxury and style

Browns Hotels and Resorts is a subsidiary of The Browns Group, one of the largest conglomerates in Sri Lanka. 

Singapore Airlines launches chatbot for customer queries

Singapore Airlines (SIA) launched a beta chatbot, as it expands digital servicing channels for customers. The bot, named ‘Kris’, will initially be available on the SIA global Facebook page and will later be made available on singaporeair.com. 

Etihad introduces range of comfort items, amenities for purchase on selected flights

In addition to its complimentary inflight service and hospitality offering, Etihad Airways has introduced a selection of inflight products aimed at enhancing the travel experience and providing more choice for its guests in Economy Class.

Findmyfare partners NDB for exclusive promotions

Sri Lanka’s largest online travel company, Findmyfare, has partnered with NDB bank to offer a range of exclusive promotions via www.findmyfare.com. Unveiled in December 2017, the first of these exclusive NDB bank promotions is the ‘Fly to Singapore for Rs.1,000 + Taxes’ SriLankan Airlines offer that is available until December 15, 2017.

Emirates celebrates holiday season with special Christmas treats

Emirates is spreading the festive joy with treats across all cabin classes this December. Customers travelling for the holidays will enjoy several Christmas specials both on the ground and on board from food to entertainment.

SIA and Air New Zealand to boost Singapore-Auckland services

Singapore Airlines and Air New Zealand announced they will jointly launch a third daily flight between Singapore and Auckland from 28 October 2018, boosting capacity on the route by up to 40 per cent and adding more than 165,000 seats annually between the two cities. 

SriLankan excels at World Travel Awards World Ceremony

‘SriLankan Airlines, the national carrier of Sri Lanka and a member of the oneworld alliance, proving its consolidated presence in the Indian Sub-Continent has been awarded the ‘World’s Leading Airline to the Indian Ocean’ title at the World Travel Awards World Ceremony, in Phu Quoc, Vitenman. Thirteen other leading airlines were nominated for the award.

Emirates Group releases annual Environmental Report

The Emirates Group, comprising Emirates airline and dnata, has published its seventh annual Environmental Report which outlines the Group’s environmental performance for the financial year 2016-2017.

Global aviation industry net profit to rise to US $38.4 bn in 2018: IATA

The International Air Transport Association (IATA) forecasts global industry net profit to rise to $38.4 billion in 2018, an improvement from the US $34.5 billion expected net profit in 2017 (revised from a US $31.4 billion forecast in June). Highlights of expected 2018 performance include:

The Kingsbury bags three awards for cleanliness and hygiene

Adding to an ever-growing list of awards and accolades, The Kingsbury has raked in three awards that firmly establish its status as a benchmark of five star hospitality in Sri Lanka. 

Hemas Travels opens branch in Kandy

Hemas Travels (Pvt) Ltd, one of Sri Lanka’s leading outbound, IATA-approved travel agencies which has been in operation since 1979, recently opened its first-ever branch out of Colombo, in Kandy.

Destination marketing: Need of the hour

Sri Lanka is awash with Chinese money. The Port City, Hambantota Port, Mattala Airport and the Lotus Tower are all investments by China. Unfortunately, Chinese tourists’ arrivals are not eeping pace with their investment.

Emirates’ new Boeing 777 cabins to delight customers

Emirates’ new Boeing 777-300ER aircraft fitted with its game changing fully enclosed private suites in First Class, as well as refreshed Business and Economy Class cabins, has now entered service, to the delight of customers.

CILT Sri Lanka announces Logistics Excellence Awards and Scholarships 2018

The Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport Sri Lanka (CILT Sri Lanka) proudly announced the launch of ‘CILT Sri Lanka Logistics Excellence Awards and Scholarships 2018’ at the recently concluded CILT International Conference, held recently at 

Italian Cruise ship Costa neoClassica arrives in Colombo

Italian Ambassador in Sri Lanka Paolo Andrea Bartorelli launched one of the events of the Italian Food Week - 2017 on board the Italian Cruise Ship Costa neoClassica which arrived at Colombo Port last month.

The fate of shipping industry SMEs as liberalisation looms

SMEs plays an important role in the economic development of a country. Their role in terms of production, employment generation, contribution to foreign exchange earnings and facilitating equitable distribution of income is very critical.

Gulf Air Brings Thales FMS to new Airbus fleet

Gulf Air, the national carrier of the Kingdom of Bahrain, has signed an agreement with Thales to equip the airline’s new, incoming 12 Airbus A320Neo and 17 A321Neo aircraft with a cockpit package of Thales avionics solutions including the TopFlight and Flight Management System (FMS).

Walkers Colombo Shipyard gets US$ 4mn ADB funding

Walkers Colombo Shipyard (Pvt.) Ltd, a subsidiary of MTD Walkers PLC secured a US$4 million loan from the Asian Development Bank to be utilized for the  development of the Shipyard of Walkers Colombo Shipyard.

Makeyourtrip.com recognised for leading travel technology in South Asia

Sri Lankan travel Innovator Makeyourtrip.com was recently recognized at the South Asian Travel Awards 2017 for deploying next generation technology for South Asia’s travel industry.

Asia Leisure opens fifth luxury-leisure property ‘The Habitat’ in Kosgoda

In line with the company’s vision to offer exclusive leisure properties at key selected destinations, Asia Leisure, a subsidiary of Asia Capital PLC opened its fifth leisure property in the southern coastal belt, ‘The Habitat’ Kosgoda on the November28th,2017.

Travel bloggers make Sri Lanka go viral on social media

Use of travel bloggers and social media influencers have been a highly effective tool for most of the destination management organisations around the world, capturing unforgettable moments and sharing them among friends (mostly unseen before) is getting increasingly popular and it has been recognised as an effective way to promote Sri Lanka.

French govt felicitates Chandra Wickramasinghe with highest honour

Former SLAITO President Chandra Wickramasinghe was bestowed with the honorary distinction of Officier de l’Ordre National du Mérite by the Embassy of France to Sri Lanka and the Maldives recently, in a ceremony held at the Résidence de France.

Sri Lanka Tourism with Pro-Am Serendib to promote active sports tourism

Sri Lanka Tourism and Pro-Am Serendib (Pvt.) Ltd are all set to bring the world’s number one multi-sport event brand Ironman to Sri Lanka.

Pakistan has much to offer to Lankan tourists: travel operators

Pakistan, one of Sri Lanka’s cricketing neighbours, has a large number of tourist attractions as well apart from the sport, a Pakistani travel company said recently. The representatives of Saiyah, a Pakistani destination management company, was in Sri Lanka recently to meet Sri Lankan travel operators, Officials of the Pakistan High Commission and SriLankan Airlines to promote Pakistan tourism and to discuss issues faced by Sri Lankans when

SLTDA moves to online licensing/registration system

In an effort to pull in the rapidly expanding informal hospitality sector under the regulatory purview, the Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority (SLTDA) has moved towards fully automating the licensing and registration process.