Oceanfront Condos in Nilaveli: A slice of paradise to call ‘home’

Languidly lying just about 14 kilometres north of the city of Trincomalee, Nilaveli is home to a long stretch of beach with pearly white coral sand and shallow waters that allow one to wade out to the sea for hundreds of feet in some areas.

Cradled on the lap of a virgin sweep of beach here, Oceanfront Condos is a hideaway from the rest of the world, a place where gurgling waves wake one up to day upon day of sun-kissed bliss.

The very first beachfront, serviced, luxury and leisure apartments of its kind in the island, Oceanfront Condos, homes 81 condominiums in total. The first phase of the apartment contract is to be completed by September 2017; this means the event of handing over the keys to its owners is almost at hand.

Boasting of large living spaces that blend with its gorgeous natural surroundings, with each condominium enjoying views of the Indian Ocean from both the living and bedrooms, the condos are an ideal investment for a discerning few who understand the necessity to have a home away from home, a home to just throw the feet up and unwind by the beach.

What makes the model of Oceanfront Condos’ operations convenient is that once the apartment is purchased and furnished by the owner, the company acts as a facilitator for condominium rentals. While the owners go about their life, the company manages and lets out the condominiums on rent, thus enabling the owner parties to earn an additional income from their holiday beachfront homes.

Oceanfront Condos features a swimming pool, a gymnasium and a café within its precincts. It is also comfortably located, just a 20-minute boat ride away from the Pigeon Island Marine National Park with its jewelled coral gardens and 300 types of reef fish that makes it a snorkelers’ and divers’ paradise.

Oceanfront Condos’ close proximity to Trincomalee makes it a viable hub to visit. Its natural harbour, Konesvaram temple and Fort Frederick are some interesting sites here.

Another attraction, of course, is whale watching at the harbour. The potential buyers are invited to visit the property and its fully furnished show apartment this holiday season, to inspect and explore the value of this Nilaveli beachfront investment.

Located on a beautiful slice of paradise flaunting vibrantly coloured sunrises, Oceanfront Condos offers intimate moments with nature, blissful solitude and a hassle-free opportunity to earn an additional income. Do not miss the opportunity to reserve your very own apartment with the best view of the ocean.

Source : http://epaper.dailymirror.lk/epaper/viewer.aspx

Air France to start operations in Maldives in November

National airline of France, Air France has announced it will be starting direct flight operations in Maldives in November, 2017.

The airline reports it will have two weekly flights between Paris and Male’ City.

The flights from Paris will arrive in Male’ City on Thursdays and Saturdays, and return to Paris on Thursdays and Sundays.

Air France will be using Boing 777 aircrafts which has 312 seats; 28 business-class seats, 24 premium economy-class seats, and 260 economy-class seats.

CEO of Air France, Franck Terner said starting flight operations in Maldives was part of its efforts to strengthen its services in top leisure destinations of the world.

Maldives Airports Company Limited (MACL) announced earlier that three international airlines will be starting operations in Velana International Airport this year.

The other two airlines are believed to be the national airline of China – Air China, and an Indian airline.

Source : https://english.sun.mv/42119

Transport facilities to Delft Island strengthened

 

A new passenger boat service was launched recently  by the Minister of Provincial Councils and Local Government Faizer Musthapa at the Kurikattuwan pier fulfilling a long felt need of the people living on Delft island.

The launch of the vessel ‘Neduntharakai’ will strengthen transport facilities between Delft and Kurikattuwan in Jaffna.

The new boat launched by the Northern Provincial Council was funded by the World Bank and the Australian Government.

Made at Colombo Dockyard with foreign consultation, the Rs. 150 million boat has the capacity to transport 80 passengers.

State Minister Wijayakala Maheshwaran, M.A. Sumanthiran MP, NPC Chief Minister Wigneswaran and the Australian High Commissioner were also present.

Source; http://www.sundayobserver.lk/2017/01/22/news/transport-facilities-delft-island-strengthened

Gulf Air counts down to launch of Colombo route

Airline to operate to Colombo effective 19 January

On 5 January, The Kingdom of Bahrain’s National Carrier, Gulf Air, began its official 14-day countdown to the highly anticipated launch of the airline’s direct operations to Bandaranaike International Airport, in the Sri Lankan capital Colombo, which will commence on 19 January with five flights per week.

In advance of the route launch Gulf Air Chief Executive Officer Maher Salman Al Musallam praised the fruitful partnership and cooperation between Gulf Air and its General Sales Agent Mack Air in Colombo and spoke of the newest network expansion.

“We are 14 days away from the launch of Gulf Air’s newest route services that will further strengthen our Asian network while extending our product and service offering to a broader passenger base. We are delighted to provide superior travel solutions that, supplemented by the support of our General Sales Agent Mack Air, will cater to the travel needs of our passengers.”

Gulf Air’s General Sales Agent in Colombo, Mack Air, can be found in No 11, York Street, Colombo 01, SriLanka and can be reached at (+94) 11 2475325.

Gulf Air will operate five weekly flights to Colombo with an A320 aircraft.

Gulf Air flights can be booked online at gulfair.com, the airline’s one-stop-shop website, where customers can also find a suite of additional online services offering hotel bookings, car rental, travel insurance and the Gulf Air Tours service that gives passengers access to a variety of travel add-ons such as sightseeing tours, museum passes, tours, excursions, local activities and airport transfers at their final destination. Fare/booking queries can also be directed to the airline’s 24-hour Worldwide Contact Centre on (+973) 17373737, or any Gulf Air sales offices and approved travel agencies.

Source : http://www.ft.lk/article/591144/Gulf-Air-counts-down-to-launch-of-Colombo-route#sthash.GqCP2nS7.dpuf

Accessible tourism has huge potential for growth

MyTravelResearch.com has released a new report on accessible travel.

The sector, which is also known as inclusive travel, disability travel, barrier-free travel, and access travel, has a lot of potential for growth.

The report states that around 88% of people with a disability take a holiday each year.

In the USA the Open Doors Organization estimates that $ 17.3 billion is spent by adults with disabilities on travel each year, while in Australia around eight billion dollars a year is spent by travellers with disabilities. Around 12% of the European market is dedicated to people with disabilities.

Types of impairment vary. For example, in the UK long term illness accounts for 50% of disability travellers; 26% are deaf or have partial hearing loss; 23% have mobility impairment; 7% are blind or partially sighted; 6% are mobility impaired; 5% have learning difficulties.

“The one thing in common with them all is that they don’t want to stop travelling,” said Bronwyn White co-founder of MyTravelResearch.com and author of the report. “They recognise, however, that the way that they travel may need to incrementally change as they age.”

Cruising is becoming more popular for people with disabilities. In the past five years, 10% of adults with disabilities in the US have taken a cruise, amounting to almost four million travellers taking seven million trips, generating $ 11 billion in spending on fares and $ 1.5 billion on excursions.

Visit Britain says there are three aspects that all businesses need to address to provide access for all:

Information and Marketing – providing detailed information on the accessibility of your facilities and services, making this information easy to find.

Customer Service and Training – being disability aware with the right attitude and confidence to serve all customers.

Physical Facilities – making reasonable adjustments to buildings and facilities so that they are ways for everyone to enter and move around.

Source : http://www.ft.lk/article/574636/Accessible-tourism-has-huge-potential-for-growth

Colombo is fourth fastest-growing destination city in the world

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Colombo is the fourth Fastest-Growing Destination City in the world according to the annual Mastercard Global Destinations Cities Index released last week.

According to the Index Sri Lanka’s commercial hub has shown a growth of 19.57% over the last seven years.

The Japanese city of Osaka has shown the strongest growth in international visitors (24.15%) while China’s Chengdu and the capital of the United Arab Emirates Abu Dhabi have been ranked 2nd and 3rd respectively.

Japanese capital Tokyo came just behind Colombo with a visitor arrival growth of 18.48%.

Overall, Thailand’s capital Bangkok was the top-ranked destination city by international overnight visitor arrivals whilst Dubai was the fourth. London was placed second followed by Paris.

Osaka was followed by Chengdu in China.

Neither Chengdu nor Colombo are in the regional top 10. MasterCard said Colombo has been experiencing a strong recovery in attracting international visitors after the ending of its civil war in 2009.

International visitor arrivals to Colombo steadily increased from 2009-2016 with a 19.6% compound annual rate of growth (CGAR) and in 2016 overnight visitor arrivals to the city are expected to reach 1.13 million. The visitors are expected to spend at least US$ 1 billion in the city.

In terms of expenses, visitors to Colombo spend 45% for accommodation and nearly 24% for food and beverages while nearly 18% spent on shopping.

The Mastercard Index of Global Destination Cities ranks cities in terms of the number of their total international overnight visitor arrivals and the cross-border spending by these same visitors in the destination cities, and gives visitor and passenger growth forecasts for 2016.

The Index provides more than a ranking of the 132 most visited cities around the world. It projects visitor volume and spend estimates for the 2016 calendar year, while delivering a deeper understanding of how people travel and spend around the world.

Thailand’s capital Bangkok is the top-ranked destination city by international overnight visitor arrivals. According to the study, Bangkok is projected to receive 21.47 million international overnight visitors in 2016 ahead of London and Paris which have been placed 2nd and 3rd respectively.

Source : http://www.ft.lk/article/569824/Colombo-is-fourth-fastest-growing-destination-city-in-the-world#sthash.9DJYwXAN.dpuf

Singapore Airlines launches new thrice weekly morning service from Colombo

Singapore Airlines has launched a new morning services with the flight SQ467 departing Colombo on Wednesday, Friday and Saturday at 1130 a.m. and arrives at 6.00 p.m. in Singapore.

The airline said the new service connects well to destinations in Australia, New Zealand, China, South East Asia and USA.

With the daily SQ469 services departing at 0110h, Singapore Airlines provides passengers more options to travel at their convenience.

Promotional fares are on offer to Singapore, Jakarta, Denpasar, Manila, Taipei, Canton, Beijing, Shanghai, Seoul Narita, Tokyo, Melbourne, Sydney, Brisbane, Canberra, Adelaide, Cairns, Darwin, Perth, Auckland, Christchurch, Wellington and Los Angeles on Economy Class and Business Class.

When you travel with Singapore Airlines you can also earn KrisFlyer miles.

KrisFlyer miles can be used for redeeming award tickets and flight upgrades. Choose flights to 1,000 destinations in more than 170 countries along with upgrades on Singapore Airlines, SilkAir and partner airlines. Plus mix miles and cash to pay for all or part of your airfare when you book your next Singapore Airlines flight.

For more details please contact your travel agent or Singapore Airlines on 2499699, or visit singaporeair.com/lk. (Other terms and conditions apply).

Source : http://www.ft.lk/article/558395/Singapore-Airlines-launches-new-thrice-weekly-morning-service-from-Colombo#sthash.KjlBYf5L.dpuf