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Page 6 The Island Travel Thursday 27th January, 2011 Tourists here need more activities !Ebert Silva Holidays blazes the trail, says Sri Lanka Tourism Chairman By Harischandra Gunaratna Discover the diversity of Sri Lankan Sri Lanka Tourism cuisine at Cinnamon Lakeside Chairman Nalaka Godahewa on With the hectic Sunday said that the 46% social season with all growth rate achieved last year its lunches, brunches, by the country in tourist weddings and dinners arrivals is the highest by any just about behind us, country for that period and Sri the thought of a good Lanka was able to record this old fashioned Sri figure just by word of mouth . Lankan meal is possi- Addressing a gathering of bly the most welcome travel agents, hoteliers and well thought on everyone’s wishers at the first anniversary minds. The chefs at Cinnamon Lakeside Colombo are of the Colombo City Tour pio- masters at preparing authentic Sri Lankan cuisine and neered by Ebert Silva Holidays, Chandra Mohotti, Senior Vice President, Galle Face Group receives the Gold their skills are showcased at the hotel’s monthly Hopper predicted that achieving the tar- Loyalty award from Ms Rajini Silva Mendis. Night. In addition to some traditional recipes, the chefs get of 2.5 million tourist arrivals put some of their own creativity to play. The simple set by President Mahinda crispy hopper, the focal item of the night takes on many Rajapaksa for 2011 is achievable forms. Diners may try cheese and chili hoppers, seeni if the present trend continues. sambol hoppers, kiri appa, pani pol hoppers or masala Godahewa said that Sri The open decked double-decker has made a lasting impression among tourists . hoppers, and of course the popular egg hopper. In addi- Lanka Tourism will embark on Pix by Dharmasena Walipitiya tion to this, a spread of pittu complemented by tripe an aggressive and a sustained progressed to three full day decker was passing certain curry locally referred to as babath, string hoppers, kot- campaign to promote the coun- tours a week and expressed con- places. thu rotti, chicken curry, crispy cuttlefish, beef curry, fish try this year which is the “Visit fidence that it will grow from She said that those in the ambulthiyal - a sour smoked preparation of fish, pota- Sri Lanka” year. strength to strength. industry have the toes curried in a thick coconut gravy and many other He paid a glowing tribute to “Their motive was not profit competence,capacity and ability, items make up the splendid Sri Lankan buffet. After an Ebert Silva Holidays for their but to promote the country as a to craft and fashion Sri Lanka, invigoratingly spicy meal, the hotel offers guests an trail blazing effort in introduc- top tourist destination,”he to be a premier tourism hub, not array of local sweetmeats to recover. They come in all ing the Colombo City Tour and added. only in the region, but also in shapes, sizes, colours and textures from Lavariya, added that the tourists visiting Rajini Silva Mendis, the world. dodol, milk toffee, kokis, kavum, asmi, halapa, mung the country are looking forward Managing Director of Ebert “Colombo City Tour will The iconic, legendry Kuttan receives his award from Ms Silva. kavum to coconut rock and banana fritters amongst oth- for variety of activities and the Silva Holidays said that the showcase a rich and unique city, more comprehensive and broad- with excitement,music,lights ers. In true Sri Lankan style, guests are served a cup of company headed by Ms Rajini Colombo City Tour has come enhancing, uplifting and adding er sense and said that the com- and numerous open deck coach- ginger tea to top the meal off. A calypso band and a Silva Mendis has kept no stone along,relentlessly,surpassing colour to the experiences the pany is proud and honoured to es traveling around, filled with troupe of Kandyan dancers keep guests entertained unturned to make it a success. rough roads, obstacles and tak- city and the industry offer its have received this opportunity mesmerized visitors from throughout the night. The band makes its way around The Chairman said that ing difficult corners, to celebrate visitors,” she said. and vista through CCT, to ignite around the world…. playing songs on request. This month’s Hopper Night Ebert Silva Holidays continued this wonderful day, today. Ebert Silva Group has a tiny spark, that with the space This is my dream for the will be held at the hotel’s latest venue, the Waterside, on with the tour even though it did- She reminisced how at the always been committed, and of time, will enlighten and leave City of Colombo. I know that it Friday, 28th January from 7.00 pm to 11.00 pm. n’t yield any profits for a long initial stages of the tour, the dedicated, towards making last- a lasting impression on the is part of your dream for the period as the company was com- crew had to raise the telephones ing contributions to the travel industry , further propelling and city as well as the vision of the mitted and dedicated to the task wires on the city for the bus to and tourism tapestry in Sri boosting Sri Lanka, to be the President and that of the of promoting tourism and the move ahead and the branches of Lanka and we have taken up the Wonder of Asia. Ministry of Economic tour which started with a half a the trees were touching the faces challenge of this concept, not as She said “My dream of a Development in particular and day tour on Sundays has now of the tourists when the double a mere travel agent ,but, in a vibrant dynamic touristic city, the country in general.” The Jetwing Research Initiative - Exhibition Sand castles and beach English High Tea at the Galadari and Forum at the Galle Literary Festival Indulge in an exquisitely palatable afternoon tea buffet sports add colour to with plush delicacies and a fine spread of pure Ceylon tea “There is a desire deep within the soul of Jetwing St.Andrew’s will discuss the possi- that will lead you through the astounding journey of the which drives man from the seen to the bilities of reintroducing trout into the ice cold age old English tradition. Sip that perfect cup of tea while unseen, to philosophy and to the divine” – streams of Nuwara Eliya, a fascinating con- Visit Sri Lanka Year enjoying a variety of light repasts of savouries and pas- Khalil Gibran cept. On Saturday 23rd January, tries and take pleasure in a much needed “tittle-tattle”. The world as we know it contains so much Jetwing Vil Uyana’s naturalist Chaminda Sri Lanka Tourism Promotions Savour in freshly brewed tea and refresh your mind, body more than we can ever learn; however pur- Jayasekera will present his research on one, Bureau (SLTPB) and The and soul, while our chefs work magic creating the fresh- suit of that knowledge is what many strive for. if not the rarest primates in the country, the Hoteliers Association of Sri est of finger sandwiches, scones and delicate pastries, The Jetwing Research Initiative was set up to Loris and famed Anoma Alagiyawadu of Lanka (THASL) launched accompanied with fresh creams, jams and chocolate. utilise the unique set of skills that the Jetwing Lighthouse will speak about the another thrilling beach event Afternoon high tea at the Galadari is available from the Naturalists of Jetwing have, in order to migration of Whales and Dolphins at Mirissa at the Bentota beach of south- 24th to the 31st of January in the elegantly hip Lobby Bar research, learn, and to finally present and and the importance of responsible whale ern coast of Sri Lanka as a from 3.30p.m. to 5:30 p.m. teach others. With this in mind, each natural- watching. part of special events on ist has chosen to take on a project that is spe- Nayanapriya Bandara of Jetwing Hunas twelve months twelve theme Taste the priceless flavours of India cial to them, and have delved deep into histo- Falls will present a project that deals with the concept on Visit Sri Lanka at Navratna,Taj Samudra ry and nature, to uncover secrets that will be behaviour and ecology of leopards in the Year 2011. The theme for the Indian cuisine holds an enthralling history of her- unveiled on Thursday the 27th of January at Knuckles Range, an animal that has not yet month of January is the itage and culture influenced by great rulers and the Maritime Museum situated within the been photographed. The five projects that will “Pristine beaches of Sri diverse people. Spread across a vast geography with Galle Fort from 3.30pm onwards as part of be exhibited at this event promises to be an Lanka” and the organizers varying climates from the scenic mountain regions to the prestigious Galle Literary Festival. extremely interesting, as well as an entertain- hope to protect and promote the sun drenched coastlines, India offers a base of Hasantha Lokugamage of Jetwing Beach with a rich history due to its status as a port, ing glimpse into topics that have much deep- the untainted beaches of Sri ingredients unlike any other country in the world. will revisit the quaint village of Negombo, one in former years whilst Buddhika Gamagedara er meaning than we realise! Lanka as a major attraction for Together these components bring you one of the the tourists. The events con- finest cuisines that is enjoyed the world over today. ducted for the day included an Navratna at the Taj Samudra dedicates herself to exciting Sand-Castles competi- itage, nature& wildlife, culi- bring authentic Indian cuisine incomparable to any tion and Beach Volley-ball nary and shopping & enter- other in the city of Colombo. Chef Chauhan of tournament among the locals tainment. Sri Lanka tourism Navratna himself stems from the region of Punjab in and the foreign participants . has lined-up a series of pleas- Northern India. Chef, Chauhan is passionate about Early this year, Sri Lanka urable queue of events to the spices he uses - “Only the very best of herbs and Tourism launched mark rest of the themes in the spices can bring out the best natural flavouring in any Refreshingly Sri Lanka Visit- 12 months of year 2011. By vegetable or meat” he remarks. At Navratna the chefs 2011 promotional campaign conducting these events the perfectly craft cooking techniques and marination introducing 12 refreshing authorities hope to create a processes that are often centuries old – this is inte- themes happening though out close connection among all gral to the creation of authentic Indian cuisine. the year. These twelve themes stakeholders of the Sri Lanka Navratna’s menu offers many delectable North Indian consist of beaches, sports & tourism industry providing dishes with a wide variety of soups, starters, deli- Internet marketing workshop for the travel trade adventure, MICE, people and them the much needed under- cious accompaniments for a main course of Indian Travel and Tourism sector is one of the has been designed to suite the needs of Certified eMarketer and a professional mem- culture, religious tourism, standing of the significance breads or biryani and ofcourse a selection of some main industries in the world which is being business leaders and executives at all levels, ber of the British Computer Society (MBCS). weddings & honeymoons, various facets of the tourism positively impacted by the Internet usage of from CEO/MD to marketing executives who He is currently heading the search marketing body & mind wellness, her- industry. the customers and online implementations are involved in the decision making of offline division of an International eMarketing by existing business firms at different stages and online marketing. The workshop will be Agency based in Sydney, Australia. of their value delivery chains. But the tourism held on the 12th February 2011 from 8.30 am Amitha Amarasinghe, who is a social Sasi takes over as CEO of industry in Sri Lanka is still not getting the to 5.00 pm at the OLAK Auditorium, TB media marketing maven and blogger, cur- maximum benefit of these trends due to Jayah Mawatha (Darly Road), Colombo 10. rently serves as the head of digital media at VMS Travels many reasons and the knowledge gap in the This workshop is conducted by two of the Phoenix-Ogilvy. Amitha possess over 6 After ending a glorious 32 year career both passenger and industry on Internet Marketing concepts and most experienced marketing professionals in years of experience in the online travel trade with Aitken Spence, former S. Thomas’ cargo sales covering techniques appears to be one of the top rea- the online travel trade. Suranga as an eCommerce Manager. He holds a cricket captain Sasi Ganeshan took over Sri Lanka and sons among many others. Priyashantha, founder of eBusiness MBA and B.Sc Marketing Management as the CEO of VMS Travels, a distin- Maldives. With the objective of narrowing down this Academy, an eMarketing strategist, trainer degree from the University of Sri guished company with almost 40 top agent Before joining VMS knowledge gap and enabling the decision- and speaker who has over 7 years of experi- Jayewardenepura. awards from leading international carriers. Travels Ganeshan fine sweets. The tradition of vegetarianism being makers to confidently put their ideas, plans, ence in eMarketing as an eCommerce More information about this workshop can VMS travels has two offices in Colombo rose to the rank of deeply embedded in India translates into an exten- and strategies into action, a full day work- Manager, General Manager and Trainer. He be obtained from www.eBusiness- one at Galadari and the other at Director, Aitken sive vegetarian choice too at Navratna. Chef shop on Internet Marketing is organized by holds a B.Sc degree in Marketing Academy.org or by contacting eBA via email: Bambalapitiya while operating an office in Spence Group having put into practice Chauhan recommends the Murgh zor yakhini or spicy www.eBusiness-Academy.org specifically for Management, Post Graduate Diploma in [email protected] or by calling Toronto, Canada.VMS is also the general what the game of cricket taught him, which chicken soup flavoured with Awadhi spice. For the Travel Trade. Content of this workshop Marketing from the CIM (UK). He is a on 0777 704 556. sales agents for ETHIOPEAN Airlines for is to play with the straightest of bats. starters he might suggest Dahi ki kebab or spiced hung yoghurt kebabs. The main course offers a choice too vast to do justice by recommending just an Ceylon Continental welcomes Sri Lanka, England cricket teams item or two though some all time favourites are the On the 17th and 18th of January, Ceylon consider the future of Sri Lankan and Gosht rogan josh or tender mutton curry and the Dal Continental warmly welcomed the under English cricket. We wish both teams the navaratan or black dal tempered with ginger, garlic 19 National Cricket teams of Sri Lanka and best, and look forward to some great crick- and tomato. The Jheenga biryani or fresh prawns and England respectively. et over the next few weeks!” basmati rice cooked with saffron and selected spices The two cricket teams, comprising of Both teams are hot off the heels of the is a sure treat for the palate. Sum up your meal with young stars that would eventually make up Galle test match (14th Jan – 17th Jan) Malai kulfi or Home style ice cream and try even the two of today’s preeminent test playing which resulted in a draw on the fourth and delicious Gajar ka halwa or juicy shreds of carrots nations, were garlanded as they entered final day. cooked with raisins, milk, nuts and sugar - just the the Hotel which would be accommodating The teams will continue to play several perfect way to seal an exquisite dining them for the rest of their tour in Sri Lanka. one day and test matches until their depar- experience.Taste the priceless flavours of India at Director /General Manager Upul ture from the Hotel and host nation Sri Navratna, Taj Samudra – a cuisine unparalleled. The Gamage and Director Sales & Marketing Lanka, on the 5th of February. The Ceylon restaurant is open for lunch and dinner. Be sure to Harsha Samaranayake greeted the offi- “We are proud to host both teams during hope they enjoy their stay here at the Upul Gamage. “We are happy to have all Continental Hotel is owned and managed make your reservation in advance. cials and players of both teams. their season of cricket together and we Continental.” stated General Manager these young stars with us – whom we can by the Hayleys Group.