Mesmerizing Vesak Tours on the Colombo City Tour

Vesak is a time when Colombo comes alive with colour and spiritual festivity. It is an ideal and perfect time to showcase the city of Colombo amidst these unique celebrations. The Colombo City Tour, a unique venture by Sri Lanka Tourism offer exclusive and mesmerizing evening tours to both foreign visitors and Sri Lankans to view Colombo like never before during Vesak, on board its unique open deck double decker buses.

The tours will commence from Galle Face Hotel for three memorable evenings on the 5th, 6th and 7th of May 2012. Scheduled for approximately 3 ½ hours, the Colombo City Tour will sightsee numerous colorful Vesak zones, many pandols and other vibrant activities scattered across the city. The tickets will be priced separately for upper and lower deck seating with snacks also served on board while on tour.

The Vesak Tours have been a specialty eagerly looked forward to by the young and old alike, now for many seasons. “We are happy to operate 2 open deck double decker coaches for the first time during this Vesak. This is taking into account the many we had to turn down during the last season. It is a time of spiritual festivity and this Vesak will undoubtedly light and liven up the city of Colombo which is now opening up into a beautiful garden city.”. The venture has now gained immense popularity and heightened the value of touristic experiences the city of Colombo has to offer to its visitors from around the world.

Regular tours are operated three days a week, i.e. Friday, Saturday and Sunday. With both morning and evening tours starting off from the Galle Face Hotel and The Courtyard, the old Dutch Hospital. The weekend city tours give its guests on board comprehensive and matchless views into the less known history and importance of Sri Lanka’s foremost city, that is a rare blend of many cultures in a tapestry of ‘old and new’.

Visit Sri Lanka with Newxplorer.com

Source: srilanka.travel

Sri Lanka Tourism to Introduce fully automated licensing system

In order to cater to the growing need of new establishments in the tourism sector Srilanka Tourism Development Authority has introduced a fully automated licensing system. All registered establishments will be able to renew their license and obtain necessary documentation in few hours while new registrations can lodge all applications on line for processing.

SLTDA focus at present is to make sure that our services are provided in efficient and effective manner. We want our customers to spend minimum time in getting our approvals and license. This system will ensure that all applications can be handled on time as well as effectively and efficiently'' said Dr.Nalaka Godehwa Chairman Srilanka tourism.

The new system which will be operational from 1st May will store data of each application along with inspection reports photo graphs and other documents.

'Manuel system took long time for document acceptance and verification. Sometimes applicant had to come several times and each year same documents had to be produced. We streamlined the entire process and introduced one day service. Automation really helped the staff to increase their productivity and provide a better service for the customers'' said Dileep Mudadeniya Head of standards, quality assurance and investments.

Licensing and renewal is a key income generator for the organization and it has continued to grow since 2009. At present SLTDA has over 6800 registered establishments in the island covering over 22 categories of tourist service providers. It includes tourist hotels, guest houses, travel agents, Restaurants, home stays, bungalow, boat operators, tour guides, chauffeur guides, jeep operators etc.

Source: www.srilanka.travel

Why Not Make 2012 the Year You Fulfill Your Travel Dreams? Visit Sri Lanka

WASHINGTON, DC – February 8, 2012. The experts know: Sri Lanka is a hidden treasure worthy of your attention. Travel+Leisure magazine named it #1 in its list of “Hottest Travel Destinations of 2012” and National Geographic Traveler places it among the top six destinations in “Best of the World 2012“. Newxplorer.com wants to help you discover this hidden jewel for yourself.

 

From ancient UNESCO World Heritage Sites to rolling tea plantations, Sri Lanka is so much more than just a beautiful beach destination. The island offers Wildlife parks teeming with elephants, leopards, and 490 species of birds; mountaintop citadels; a newly discovered blue whale colony; and world-class golfing, surfing, and spas.  And because it’s the size of Ireland, you really can have adventure, relaxation, and cultural immersion all in one trip.

 

 

Sri Lanka is home to some of the most stunning beaches in the world, nestled in the clear blue waters of the Indian Ocean and the Bay of Bengal. The most popular beaches are on the South Coast. These include Benthota, with its wide sandy beaches and close proximity to the capital, Colombo; Unawatuna, which is fronted by reefs, making it a prime place to scuba dive and snorkel; and Mirissa, a pristine secluded beach where you can relax in bliss. Mirissa is also famous for whale and dolphin watching.

 

Sri Lanka showcases more than twenty-five hundred years of history in a number of ancient kingdoms that proudly display their majestic architectural and engineering feats. From the first metropolis of Anuradhapura to the last kingdom of Kandy, Newxplorer.com will show you how these civilizations thrived on this small island and teach you its intriguing history. For example, you can visit Sigiriya, a cliff- top citadel built by King Kashapa in fear of his own brother’s quest to capture him after Kashapa killed their father to become the King. Explore Gal Vihara, in Polonnaruwa, home to large Buddha statues carved from a single granite rock. Visit the Dambulla Rock Cave, which contains statues and drawings on the ceiling known to be the single largest cave drawing in the world. And in Kandy, immerse yourself in Sri Daladha Maligawa (Temple of the Tooth) where the remains of Buddha’s tooth are stored. It is the most important place of worship for Buddhists in the world.

 

Sri Lanka is the only place in the world where you can see the world’s two largest mammals—the elephant and the blue whale—in a single day! Mihintale, arguably has the world’s first Wildlife sanctuary, was created by King Devanampiyatissa. Wildlife conservation and preservation of biodiversity is ingrained in Sri Lankan culture, as evidenced in the island’s with vast number of national parks, rainforests, abundant Wildlife, and unspoilt natural beauty. Most notably are Sinharaja Biosphere Reserve and Horton Plains National Park, both UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Among the elephants, leopards, and blue whales, there are 490 different bird species, of which 33 are recognized endemics, with 234 breeding species and more than 200 migrant birds.

 

One of the joys of visiting Sri Lanka is that you get exceptional value for the cost—whether you stay in the most luxurious of accommodations or want a more “local” experience—especially when you work with Newxplorer.com.

 

 

Newxplorer.com is a premier boutique travel company specializing in travel to “the pearl of the Indian Ocean.” The company offers flexible travel solutions based on an individual’s travel preferences and budget. Their dedicated staff prides itself in creating one-of-a-kind itineraries starting at US$2,445 that surpass expectations.

 

Newxplorer.com is not an ordinary travel company.  They work one-on-one with clients to build customized experiences that wrap travelers in luxury, excite their senses, and ensure enjoyable vacations. Newxplorer.com considers itself a cultural ambassador, building bridges that span across the globe to Sri Lanka. And even better - Newxplorer.com only works within the framework of sustainable tourism respecting the indigenous environment, culture, and people wherever they go.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Yarl Hotel: New Star Class Hotel in Jaffna

15 Story Star Class Hotel in Jaffna as Sri Lanka's Northern Province Develops Rapidly. The Hotel Yarl Jetwing is a Joint Venture between Mercantile Merchant Bank Ltd and Jetwing Group

03rd February 2012, www.dailynews.lk

The rapidly developing Northern Province following the defeat of terrorism has become a springboard for local and foreign investors seeking investment opportunities in Sri Lanka. Construction of a 70-room, 15 storeyed star class hotel in the heart of Jaffna will be launched tomorrow.

Mercantile Merchant Bank Ltd, and the Jetwing Group through an equally-owned joint venture will invest Rs. 700 million on this hotel project.

The hotel Yarl Jetwing will be constructed near the Old Clock Tower Road, in Jaffna.Designed by Design Group 5, the hotel will have a roof top swimming pool and a Presidential Suite and the construction work is to be completed within 18 months.

The location of the hotel will be adjacent to the Rs. 500 million new shopping and entertainment complex being built by Cargills (Ceylon) Plc. Courtesy-news.lk

Newxplorer.com Launches to Provide Customized Luxury travel to Sri Lanka

SFGate September 20, 2011 04:00 AM Copyright SFGate. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Tuesday, September 20, 2011

D&J Ventures launches luxury travel firm, making the magic of Sri Lanka accessible to North American travelers

Washington, DC (PRWEB) September 20, 2011

D&J Ventures, a Washington, DC-based enterprise, announces the launch of Newxplorer.com, a client-focused company specializing in customized luxury travel to the enchanting island of Sri Lanka.
Renowned for the 13th-century explorations of Marco Polo, arguably the world's first adventure traveler, the Pearl of the Indian Ocean is now being discovered-and embraced-by modern travelers. The New York Times named Sri Lanka the #1 Place to Go in 2010 and the National Geographic Channel recently ranked it as the #2 World's Best Island, distinctions that recognize the rich array of adventure, cultural, and leisure opportunities travelers can experience in one extraordinary destination.

Sri Lanka's wealth of attractions indulge a variety of interests and travel preferences. The island boasts eight UNESCO World Heritage Sites, including a Dutch fort, two biosphere reserves, and ruins from five cliff-top citadels of ancient 2,500-year-old kingdoms. Pristine stretches of sandy white beaches kiss the azure waters of the Indian Ocean under glowing orange sunsets. Fascinating wildlife-leopards, more than 400 bird species, and the world's two largest mammals, the elephant and the blue whale-roam the land, flit through the trees, and swim the waters. A vibrant culture celebrates a mélange of religions and historical influences that emerge in everything from the cuisine to the art to the architecture. Shopping districts showcase some of the world's finest gemstones, including the famous Sri Lankan (Ceylon) sapphire.

"There is a feeling of adventure when you visit Sri Lanka," says Dular Niyangoda, founder and president of Newxplorer.com. "When you walk the beaches, hike the tropical forests, and explore the ancient wonders, it's as if you are discovering a world unspoiled by modern civilization. You feel yourself stepping back in time and can easily imagine how Marco Polo experienced the island over eight centuries ago."

Niyangoda should know. Born in Sri Lanka, but a resident of Washington, DC, for more than 20 years, he's been returning to his homeland almost every year, exploring its host of treasures and watching it change, while marveling how much it remains the same.

The country's attractions combined with the dynamic culture, friendly people, environmental consciousness, delicious food steeped in the "locavore" tradition, world-class lodging, modern medical facilities, and a reputation as unchartered terroritory makes Sri Lanka a destination that should be at the top of everyone's bucket list.

"Sri Lanka offers an unparalleled travel experience. My goal in forming Newxplorer.com was to help travelers easily access the wonders of the country. Even in the era of the internet, it can be difficult and time-consuming to thoroughly research a travel destination. There are so many sites offering diverging comments from people you don't know. We want to take some of the guess work out of planning your Sri Lankan adventure. Whether you want to simply bask on a beach, enjoy a more adventure-filled experience, or focus on food, well-being, or culture-or even a little of everything-we will help you tailor a trip that fulfills your fantasies. Our network of local partners and intimate knowledge enables us to harness all Sri Lanka has to offer and thereby exceed customer expectations."

Newxplorer.com's inaugural Xplore travel packages include Xplore Ancient Kingdoms, Xplore wildlife, Xplore beaches, and Xplore Biodiversity. In addition, Newxplorer.com offers custom options for travelers seeking a more personalized experience. All packages enjoy small groups; flexible dates; luxurious accommodations; English-fluent travel concierges, chauffeurs, and expert guides; and optional excursions that provide a one-of-a-kind travel experience.

About Newxplorer.com
Newxplorer.com is a provider of customized luxury travel to Sri Lanka. The company's Xplore travel packages offer customers variety, flexibility, and unparalleled experiences in Sri Lanka and other exotic destinations worldwide.

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For the original version on PRWeb visit: www.prweb.com/releases/prweb2011/9/prweb8809602.htm

Read more: http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/g/a/2011/09/20/prweb8809602.DTL#ixzz1hBbxCg00

National Geographic Traveler November/December Issue picks Sri Lanka as One of the Top Best Places to Visit in 2012

Courtesy of National Geographic Traveler

 

Many of the Buddhist ruins in the ancient city of Polonnaruwa date from the 12th century.

Photograph by Priit Vesilind

The words mean "resplendent isle," and the natural charms of this pear-shaped island in the Indian Ocean that nearly kisses the southeast tip of India are indeed splendid. • Peopled mostly by Sinhalese, the result of waves of Indo-Aryan emigration, the island is mostly flat, with gentle mountains in the south. • The Portuguese and the Dutch once waged proxy wars here; by 1802 the island was a British colony. • This century saw bloody civil war, as the Liberation Tigers, representing minority Tamils, fought the Sinhalese and their domination of politics and economics. • In 2009 the Tigers were vanquished. • Today peace prevails.

Sri Lanka among top emerging travel destinations in the world - World Travel Market 2011 (WTM)

The World Travel Market 2011 Industry Report has highlighted five countries including Sri Lanka as the five emerging counties behind the BRICS nations Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa.

Sri Lanka was named as it is re-emerging after defeating terrorism, ending Sri Lanka's 30-year conflict, investing in infrastructure and emphasizing its natural beauty.

The Report is based on the findings of two independently conducted surveys in September 2011. World Travel Market has surveyed its key exhibitors and senior buyers (members of its Meridian Club) to discover the central issues for the industry and what will be discussed on the exhibition floor for the four days of World Travel Market (WTM) 2011 (7–10 November).

Sri Lanka has been ranked as the number one tourist destination by the 'New York Times' in its list of "31 Places to Go in 2010".

"The conflict finally ended last May, ushering in a more peaceful era for this teardrop-shaped island off India’s coast, rich in natural beauty and cultural splendours," states the New York Times.

"My intention is to generate environmental friendly sustainable tourism instead of relying only on leisure seeking popular tourism", stated President Mahinda Rajapaksa in ‘Mahinda Chintana’, his manifesto to develop the country.

In keeping with this pledge, the Government has done much in the past years to fulfil the needs of the tourism industry. The Government identified tourism as a fast emerging potential growth sector in the economy in terms of foreign exchange earnings, employment creation, infrastructure development and regional development.

The Government intends to win the challenge of attracting tourists as many as 5 million annually. http://www.wtmlondon.com/