newsblog

Shipping industry sees growth

Mon, 09 Jan 2012 02:04:21 +0100

US $ 273.1 m invested in last five years:

Sanjeevi JAYASURIYA

The country’s shipping industry will continue its growth momentum as several mega port development projects were launched during the last five years.

A sum of US $ 237.1 million has been invested. This year surpasses the previous figure and of which port related investment records an increase including a US $ 500 million for the third terminal to be constructed at the Colombo Port.

The policy initiatives of the Government encourages growth in the shipping sector and one of the key policy initiatives introduced by the 2012 budget is to open free areas in the Colombo, Hambantota and Trincomalee ports. This will give a huge boost for logistics related value added services and could attract major FDIs, Colombo Shippers’ Academy CEO Rohan Masakorala told Daily News Business.

The government needs to further liberalize the trading environment to attract global players to come into Sri Lanka. “This should be in line with BOI investment policies to secure large investments of capital and services related projects into the transportation business,” he said.

Investment in both port operation and infrastructure building being promoted through PPP where private investments are likely to raise to US$ 440 million in two years from 2011 while investment is expected to reach US$ 2.8 billion during the period from 2017 to 2020.

However, the shipping industry globally has seen a dip due to the ongoing economic crisis in the EU and USA. As a result the freight market has been volatile and unstable.

The local transshipment business too has seen the negative effects and overall volumes in Colombo is stagnant due to this reason and capacity shortcomings have not been looked at a decade ago.

The Sri Lankan shipping industry too has suffered due to the instability of the market. On the infrastructure side we have seen remarkable achievements in the port sector which would no doubt help the economy move forward during the next decade.

“The government has embarked on a capacity expansion drive with all major ports having accelerated projects overcome the shortcomings,” he said.

The Colombo south harbour project will see that Sri Lanka will be the only south Asian port that will have the capability of handling the largest container ships by 2013/2014. This will help eliminate current capacity issues faced by the SLPA and to bring in more business to Sri Lanka and enhance connectivity. This is a pre-requisite to increase transshipment business and logistics services.

The Hambantota port to will see the gradual increase in bulk cargo handling as projects have begun operation. This facility will also help us on our bunkering and ship chandelling capabilities as a regional hub.

“But we need to understand that global giants are now looking for alternative locations for services. Asia is an emerging market whilst our infrastructure projects are being upgraded, we need to improve our services and trade facilitation measures to make the business processes simple and transparent,” he said.

“To make the shipping and logistics successful we now have to work towards an integrated plan with ports and airports and other related service providers, hence Customs laws, BOI, merchant shipping and logistics related laws have to be redrafted to attract investors,” Masakorala said.

Courtesy: DailyNews

Tourist arrivals to exceed 950,000 next year

Sun, 08 Jan 2012 17:04:35 +0100

(by Uditha KUMARASINGHE)
The number of tourist arrivals in 2012 could exceed 950,000 with the increased arrivals from the traditional markets of South Asia and Western Europe and hitherto untapped markets such as East Asia and North America.

According to the document, Recent Economic Developments issued by the Central Bank initiatives such as resumption of the ferry service between Sri Lanka and India after 20 years would attract more Indian tourists.

The number of tourist arrivals increased by 34.3 percent to 598,006 during the first nine months of 2011 compared to the corresponding period in 2010.

The report said that earnings from tourism have increased by 48.1 percent to US$ 580 million in the first nine months in 2011 compared to the corresponding period in 2010. The average spending per tourist per night has increased to $ 97 for the period under review from $ 88 for the corresponding period in 2010.

The entry of luxury hotel chains with superior product and service standards and theme-based tourism launched by Sri Lanka Tourism will further strengthen the industry’s overall service delivery and Sri Lanka’s standing as a popular tourist destination, it said.

Hotels need to be concurrently upgraded to enable higher earnings over the short to medium-term to benefit from the growing tourist traffic. Given the rapid expansion, the industry will experience a shortage of trained staff. Hence there is an urgent need to train staff at all levels in the hospitality industry(sundayobserver.lk)

Govt targets $ 1.5 billion on tea exports

Sun, 08 Jan 2012 17:02:53 +0100

(Uditha KUMARASINGHE) Plantation Industries Minister Mahinda Samarasinghe told Parliament yesterday that plans have been drawn up to increase the annual revenue of tea in the global market up to US $ 1.5 billion by the end of this year. The minister said the current annual revenue from tea exports is UD $ 1.3 billion. Responding to an oral question by the UNP MP Ravi Karunanayake, the minister said the country's annual tea production is 331 million kgs while the present annual green leaf yield of tea is 1,603 kgs per hectare.

Minister Samarasinghe said that action has been taken to enhance local tea cultivation.

He said targets have been set by the Minister to produce 335 million kgs tea in 2017, 341 million kgs in 2022, 347 million kgs in 2027 and 350 million kgs in 2030.

The minister said that global tea production was 4,160 million kgs in 2010. The market share of Sri Lanka in the global tea market was 17.3 percent last year. Apart from Sri Lanka, nearly 35 countries are producing tea including India, China, Japan, Iran, Bangladesh, Nepal, Vietnam, Uganda and Malaysia. However, Sri Lanka ranks as the fourth largest tea producer in the world.(sundayobserver.lk)

Pushpika for Miss Tourism

Sun, 08 Jan 2012 16:45:32 +0100

Pushpika Sandamali de Silva from Polonnaruwa, Sri Lanka, is going to participate Miss Tourism Queen International 2011 which will be held in XI’AN China on December 27. She is also the title Winner of Ms. Sri Lanka 2011 Pageant and represented Sri Lanka at the Miss world Pageant, in London. Pushpika, is also recognized as a model in Sri Lankan fashion industry.

She is one of the tallest models in Sri Lanka, which will lead her greater chance in Miss Tourism Queen International this year.

Sri Lanka Tourism Promotion Bureau has concentrated on the training sessions for Pushpika, to improve her knowledge regarding the travel and tourism industry sector in Sri Lanka.

This will allow the contestant to convey the message of Sri Lanka in to the world.

Sri Lanka Tourism Promotion Bureau as the main sponsor for Sri Lankan contestant on this International Pageant for the contestant in XI’AN China, contributed the majority of the expenses and even supports services for the contestant in China.

This is a positive approach by the Sri Lanka Tourism in international events which exposes and upgrades Sri Lanka’s image in overseas.

They have identified that with around 250 press coverage and over 50 TV media’s broadcasting, Miss Tourism Queen International serves an international platform for the involved regions, business brand, tourist cities, tourist products, and fashion and luxury goods, whereas Sri Lanka has many opportunities for exposure.

Courtesy: DailyNews

Tourism threatens tiny Philippine primate

Sun, 08 Jan 2012 16:40:03 +0100

The tiny creature turns its head slowly through 180 degrees and stares, boggle-eyed as another group of noisy tourists takes its picture from just inches away.

This is the Philippine tarsier, one of the smallest primates in the world..It is a remarkable animal, just 10 centimetres (four inches) tall, weighing 120 grams (four ounces), with a rat-like tail, bat-like ears, and giant eyeballs, each one as big as its brain.

Its strange appearance is obvious, but what these tourists may not realise is that their very presence is putting the animal at risk.

The tarsier is nocturnal, lives in the forest, and is highly sensitive to daylight, noise and human contact. According to conservationists, if it becomes stressed it will kill itself by bashing its head against a tree or the bars of its cage. “People go near and they’re loud, or make a picture with the flash, or they’re touching them. Most of those tarsiers, when they become stressed they commit suicide,” says Carlito Pizarras, known as The Tarsier Man.

“They don’t breathe and slowly die. If you put them in a cage they want to go out. That’s why they bump their heads on the cage, and it will crack because the cranium is so thin.”

Pizarras is the field manager at the Philippine Tarsier and Wildlife Sanctuary in Corella on the island of Bohol, one of the country’s most popular tourist destinations. Unlike other tarsier attractions on the island, visitors at the sanctuary are allowed to look, but not to get too close, and definitely not to touch.

Sabaragamuwa gets four star hotel

Sun, 08 Jan 2012 16:36:58 +0100

Grand Udawalawa Safari Resort has invested Rs 500 million to construct a four star hotel in the Sabaragamuwa province that will open in March 2012 with 55 rooms.

The target market for the Udawalawa Safari Resort will be mainly business community, both local and foreigners. “Grand Udawalawa Safari Resort’s Director Anura Vithanage told Daily News Business that, Udawalawe has become a major tourist destination that will receive millions of visitors per year. But, there are not enough quality hotels in the area,” he said.

The hotel will employ more than 100 full time staff with their scheduled opening next year.

“Rooms in the Udawalawa Safari Resort will increase under the second and third phase of the construction,” he said. The Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority has recorded a significant increase in tourist arrivals to the country during 2011. “We anticipate this trend to increase and to support additional arrivals we want to build more rooms,” he said.

Courtesy: DailyNews

Sri Lanka Tourism trying to Rise Again

Fri, 06 Jan 2012 02:50:10 +0100

Sri Lanka Tourism is trying to rise from the Ashes after the horrific against LTTE terror group which has broken tourism apart.

One of the major problem Sri Lanka faced to emerge as a hot tourism spot is their internal conflict against LTTE. Few months back govt went all guns blazing against LTTE in war which saw sharp 80-90% decline in foreign tourists.

Now when war is over Sri Lanka tourism is desperate to regain lost ground. It won't be any easy for them since govt has still blocked access to many areas in the country specially areas with Tamil refugees.

However some people are very optimistic and believe that end of LTTE will bring peace in Sri Lanka which will give platform for long term boom in tourism. Sri Lanka is a beautiful country and lots of people want to visit.

What tourism in the country needs is a promotional campaign from the tourism department which could give boost to tourism. Campaign should focus on peace in the country ensuring Sri Lanka as a safe destination.

With 2011 Cricket World Cup just a year away govt in Sri Lanka needs to act now to build confidence and trust in tourists.

Advice to Adam’s Peak pilgrims from the Police

Fri, 06 Jan 2012 02:21:44 +0100

The police have advised people on pilgrimage to Adam’s Peak to refrain from taking alcohol, polythene, plastics and drugs.

They have also advised the public not to bathe in the streams and rivers in the area as deaths have been reported. A number of deaths were reported last season when pilgrims heading to Adam’s Peak by train had gone against brigades by traveling on the foot board of the train. Police have therefore advised them to not travel on the foot board of trains heading to Hatton.

In case of an emergency, pilgrims can contact the police through the following numbers: 0512223882 and 0452232222. (Supun Dias)

Hikka stench abates

Thu, 05 Jan 2012 17:14:38 +0100

By Harischandra Gunaratna

The hotly disputed garbage disposal issue at the Hikkaduwa tourist resort which almost created a huge environmental hazard has been settled and the Urban Council has resumed clearance of garbage from the hotels commencing Friday after the Economic Development Ministry intervened in the matter, an official said.

Siri Goonewardene, President of the Hikkaduwa Hoteliers Association (HHA), said that after the Urban Council was sent a directive by the Economic Development Ministry, the clearance of garbage was resumed after two weeks.

"Now the issue has been fully settled and everything is running smoothly," he said

He admitted that the Urban Council (UC) had a dispute with HHA over the payment of arrears in rents and taxes with a penalty to the former, and the association refused to make the payments as there was a dispute regarding the values.

"When we requested UC Chairman Winnie Kariyawasam to explain as to how the Council arrived at the particular figures, they refused to do so and demanded the payments and things got worse from there," the HHA President said.

The Council Chairman Winnie Kariyawasam also demanded a payment of Rs 350,000 for banners displayed by sponsors during the Hikka Beach Festival 2011 after having reached an agreement accompanied by a written undertaking by the Council that there would not be taxes levied on the banners, he said.

The HHA President said that a few years ago Sri Lanka Tourism donated two tractors to the Urban Council to keep the resort clean as the objective was to have a tourist friendly resort.

Asked about reports that he has alleged Kariyawasam was demanding ransom from hotels, Goonewardene denied these claims and said that certain interested parties are trying to make a mountain of a molehill.

Goonewardene said that the killing of a tourist in Tangalle has had no effect on arrivals in Hikkaduwa and the hotels will be full in the resort till end March.

"The majority of tourists here are Scandinavians followed by Germans and then English," said Siri Goonewardene.

By The Island.

With the expected boom in the tourism ...

Thu, 05 Jan 2012 17:06:08 +0100

With the expected boom in the tourism Industry in the country the John Keells Leisure Group owned Bentota Beach Hotel initiated a project to place Sun beds with mattresses, towels and umbrellas on the sandy beach of Bentota to provide a unique value addition to guests. "Being a beach holiday resort, this initiative provides a unique beach experience to our guests and beach operators too would benefit from this initiative which would strengthen the mutual understanding between the formal and informal entities of the industry. They were trained for more than eight months by the Hotel in collaboration of LINC Project of Responsible Tourism Partnership funded by the Travel Foundation of UK, with the coordination of Bentota-Beruwala Hoteliers Association," the company said.