KrisFlyer to launch world’s first blockchain-based airline loyalty digital wallet

The SIA Group’s KrisFlyer frequent-flyer programme is to launch a world-first blockchain-based airline loyalty digital wallet capability that will help unlock the value of KrisFlyer miles to enable everyday spending at retail partners.

Transshipments at Colombo port up by 20.4% in January

The transshipment operations at the Port of Colombo show a tremendous increase between the months of January 2017 and January 2018.  Accordingly, against 362,451 transshipment twenty-foot equivalent unit (TEU) operations in January 2017, together with Jaya Container Terminal 

IATA and CAAS to launch Global Safety Predictive Analytics Research Center in Singapore

The International Air Transport Association (IATA) and the Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore (CAAS) announced the signing of a Memorandum of Collaboration (MoC) to establish a Global Safety Predictive Analytics Research Center (SPARC) in Singapore. 

Sri Lanka Tourism launches ‘LoveCakeLove’ initiative for Valentine’s Day

‘LoveCakeLove’ is the theme of a crowd-sourced effort, initiated by Sri Lanka Tourism, to create hype for love cake, a uniquely Sri Lankan dish, around Valentine’s Day 2018.

Sri Lanka Tourism gets to grips with Colombo’s tourism boom

Since 2009, Sri Lanka has witnessed far-reaching development when it comes to the hospitality and travel industry. 

Emirates firms up orders for 36 A380s worth US$ 16 billion

Emirates, the world’s largest international airline, signed a contract for 20 additional A380 aircraft and 16 options, firming up the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) that was announced in January.  The total agreement for 36 aircraft is valued at US$16 billion based on latest list prices. Deliveries are to start as early as 2020.

AirAsia poised to play key role in Sri Lanka’s travel and tourism market

Tourist arrivals to Sri Lanka are expected to cross the four million mark by 2020, doubling the record of two million arrivals achieved in 2017. 

‘Travel Outlook’ relocates to Bambalapitiya

‘Travel Outlook’ Destination Management Company (DMC) recently relocated its Sri Lanka office from Pamankada Road, Colombo 6 to Colombo 4. 

Kenya Airways launches flights to Mauritius

Kenya Airways has launched direct flights to Mauritius as part of its broad strategy to expand its footprint across Africa.   

Singapore Airlines’ first Boeing 787-10 to serve Osaka

Singapore Airlines (SIA) announced that Osaka will be the first scheduled destination for its new Boeing 787-10 fleet, with services expected to begin in May this year. 

Emirates Skywards clinches ‘Excellence in Management’ award

Emirates Skywards, the loyalty programme of Emirates airline, has clinched the award for ‘Excellence in Management’ at the 10th annual Loyalty Awards 2018 organised by FlightGlobal and Global Flight and held in Bangkok on February 6th.

Sri Lanka Tourism holds photography contest to promote destination

Sri Lanka Tourism collaborated with Cinnamon Hotels to encourage local and foreign photographers to highlight their talent and capture unique locations of Sri Lanka, to fascinate the world, by providing prize money to winners of the Cinnamon Photography Contest 2017. 

Sri Lanka Tourism sees Mumbai as market of high growth potential

Sri Lanka Tourism started its 2018 tourism calendar with a positive output by participating in the 5th edition of the India International Travel & Tourism Exhibition –IITT 2018, with more than 28,000 visitors and more than 500 fully-hosted buyers attending it. This travel extravaganza was held from 11th to 13th January. 

Logicentrix to develop logistics centre in Muturajawela

Logicentrix (Pvt.) Ltd, a fully-owned subsidiary of Dart Global Logistics (Pvt.) Ltd, has ventured into the development of a state-of-the-art logistics centre, at the Muturajawela Logistics Park.

Pio Marine wins Shramabhimanee Excellency Award

Pio Marine, a leading company in manufacturing boats and the leading supplier of boats to the Fisheries and Disaster Management Ministries and the Red Cross, recently won the annual Shramabhimanee Excellency Award in recognition of the dedicated service to uplift the marine industry in Sri Lanka.

CASA and maritime hub aspirations

We were taught at that old school this tale of the ‘monkey in praise of his own tail (MPHOT). Today, a few who run the agency show in Sri Lanka, at the Ceylon Association of Shipping Agents (CASA), can be called monkeys in praising of their own tails, as seen in published media. Recently, a writer to Daily Mirror challenged the numbers produced by the CASA in a professional manner in terms of contribution to the economy. This is 

Malaysia’s Dato’ Ts to be CILT International President in 2020

The Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport is announced Dato’ Ts Abd Radzak Abd Malek FCILT as International President Elect. Radzak will assume the presidency in January 2020. 

CILT SL to host Logistics and Transport National Excellence Awards, Scholarships in July

The official awards ceremony of the Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport Sri Lanka (CILT SL) organised with the intention of recognizing individuals and corporates, those who have immensely contributed to the development of the logistics and transport industry, will be hosted in July 2018. 

Ceylon Roots hosts largest Chinese incentive group

Ceylon Roots (Private) Limited, together with the Sunflower Travel Company of the People’s Republic of China, created history by hosting one of the largest incentive groups from China for a week in Sri Lanka.

Hemas Travels spreads wings to Jaffna

Hemas Travels (Pvt.) Ltd, the leading outbound travel agency in Sri Lanka, has spread its wings in the rapidly developing city of Jaffna.

Ayubo Leisure launches Ayubo.lk and Ayubo DRIVE

Ayubo Leisure, the company behind the world’s only all-in-one travel platform recently launched Ayubo.lk and Ayubo DRIVE at the Shangri-La Hotel Colombo.

Conde Nast Traveller includes Cantaloupe Levels in Best Beach Breaks 2018 listing

One of southern Sri Lanka’s hippest boutique hotels, Cantaloupe Levels, has been anointed one of the ‘Best Beach Breaks for 2018’ in the December-January 2017/18 edition of the traveller’s holy grail – the famed Conde Nast Traveller (India), affording the hotel pride of place with some of the best in Bali, the Maldives, Singapore, Indonesia and Thailand. 

Sri Lanka participates in South Asia’s leading travel show ‘SATTE’

Sri Lanka Tourism participated at SATTE-2018 which is South Asia’s leading travel show from January 31st to February 2ndin New Delhi.  Sri Lanka is participating at this year’s fair with a strong contingent of52 travel agents and hoteliers.

Walkers Colombo Shipyard launches fourth vessel ‘Sea Gulf 3’

Walkers Colombo Shipyard (Private) Limited, a subsidiary of MTD Walkers PLC, has successfully completed the construction of its fourth vessel, a 10-tonne bollard pull tug ‘Sea Gulf 3’. 

Emirates to launch services to Santiago de Chile via Sao Paulo

Emirates, the world’s best airline according to TripAdvisor 2017, has announced its plan to launch a new, five times a week, service from Dubai to Santiago International Airport (SCL), via the Brazilian city of Sao Paulo, starting on July 5, 2018. 

Hemas Integrated Logistics rebranded as Spectra Integrated Logistics

Hemas Integrated Logistics, known across the industry for its service excellence, proven track record and corporate backing, turned a new chapter in its journey when the company rebranded itself as Spectra Integrated Logistics. 

Trevor Rajaratnam elected as TAASL President

Travel7 (Pvt.) Ltd Chief Executive Officer Trevor Rajaratnam was elected as President of the Travel Agents’ Association of Sri Lanka (TAASL) at the 42nd annual general meeting (AGM) held in Batam Island, Indonesia for the year 2017/2018 period.

Newly refurbished Amagi Aria unveiled in Negombo

Amagi Hotels unveiled its newly refurbished hotel in Negombo, Amagi Aria, at a glittering inauguration ceremony held at the hotel’s expansive lagoon-front lawn recently.

Garton’s Cape clinches prestigious global accolade

Garton’s Hotel Chain’s jewel in Sri Lanka’s south – Garton’s Cape, Ahangama, recently brought global recognition to the Pearl of the Indian Ocean by bagging the esteemed ‘Best Luxury Beach Hotel in Sri Lanka’ at the recentlyconcluded 11th edition of World Luxury Hotel Awards 2017.

MRH certified as Carbon, Water and WasteConscious Hotel

Mahaweli Reach Hotel (MRH), reputed as the first hotel to achieve the five-star status in Kandy, recently marked another milestone in the hospitality and tourism industry of Sri Lanka by becoming the first hotel to be certified as a CarbonConscious, WaterConscious and WasteConscious Hotel.