G S T Lanka Travels Pvt Ltd

04/10/2017

World Tourism Day Celebration - Colombo University students of Tourism Economics..

23/09/2017

"I lost Rs. 50 somewhere on the road!
On my way I found a piece of paper tied to an electric pole, with a small note on it.
I was curious to know what was written, hence went closer and read it. "I lost Rs. 50 somewhere on the road. If any of you find it, please give it to me at this address. My vision isn't great so please help."
I was to follow that address and found an old hut in shatters with an older woman sitting outside. She was frail and asked who is it, following my footsteps.
I said I came by this way, found Rs. 50 on the road so wanted to handover to you.
She began crying on hearing this. She said "my dear I have had atleast 30-40 people come over and give me Rs. 50 saying they found it on the road. I didn't write that note; I cannot even see properly nor do i know to read and write"
I said it's OK amma you keep it. She asked me to tear that note off on my way back.
I walked back with a million thoughts as to who could have written that note? She would have asked everyone to tear that note but none did. I mentally thanked that person and realised that we just have to feel the need to help, there are many ways to do.He/she just wanted to help this old woman
Someone stopped me n asked, "Bro, can you help me with this address? I found a 50 rupee note, want to handover""

14/09/2017

[1832] - lost his job
[1833] - failed in his business
[1835] - lost his sweetheart
[1836]- suffered nervous breakdown
[1838]- defeated in his run for Illinois speaker
[1843]- defeated in the run for Congress
[1856] - defeated for US senate
[1858] - defeated for the nomination of Vice president

[1860] - Abraham Lincoln elected as the President of America, and went on to become one of the most famous presidents in the history.

Are you still afraid to fail??

31/08/2017

Service is the foundation of loyalty in hospitality business. You can have guests walk into your Hotel, but to have them walk into your Hotel again and bring others with you – that is where true success is.

30/08/2017

Some CEOs run the business, some businesses run the CEO!

Much like in war, if the capabilities of a CEO gets tested and strengthens, depends on the intensity and diversity of the opponents and the encounters. The tougher the terrain, the more unconventional the opponents, the stronger the CEO becomes. The tougher the climate within the ranks (in the organization), the more ‘real’ the CEO gets.
By contrast, if it is a ‘ceremonial army’ where all the instructions comes from ‘above’ and those ‘below’ are faithful followers, chances are you will end up with a Ceremonial CEO!

30/08/2017

https://l.facebook.com/l.php?u=http%3A%2F%2Fjournalistontherun.com%2F2017%2F08%2F23%2Fplaces-to-visit-in-sri-lanka%2F&h=ATNR4U-irKdjDK0jB55rIMgKekVniDrjATl0CNjeaxafSS1UbbFduFJUc1VXC8iU1XpY7MUBca4tKZAzGffSRluR48LmOXXsvKYWvYjUp_DHBiRcKOiRMpwDXM8-4nHVko9RwwtKj4wi6q-4Ee5_yGLyvL5VxmfWstmIY3H7uTPZ2RUoTGm0c59HIGrKMyA2z1IVavwoY92zqnY3mkFV5nKQCKiYJQxoTPZutOayVUWt2HP6_i7aMBp58j-i2LWhI_Bv1AtIeF0-J7eGYxOly-SI1lJVHKL1

From elephant safaris and whale watching to pristine beaches with turquoise waters and ancient temples, these are the best places to visit in Sri Lanka.

15/08/2017

21/07/2017

17/06/2017

Brain damaging habits

1. No Breakfast
People who do not take breakfast are going to have a lower blood sugar level. This leads to an insufficient supply of nutrients to the brain causing brain degeneration

2. Overeating
It causes hardening of the brain arteries, leading to a decrease in mental power

3. Smoking
It causes multiple brain shrinkage and may lead to Alzheimer disease

4. High Sugar Consumption
Too much sugar will interrupt the absorption of proteins and nutrients causing malnutrition and may interfere with brain development

5. Air Pollution
The brain is the largest oxygen consumer in our body. Inhaling polluted air decreases the supply of oxygen to the brain, bringing about a decrease in brain efficiency

6 . Sleep Deprivation
Sleep allows our brain to rest. Long term deprivation from sleep will accelerate the death of brain cells

7. Head Covered While Sleeping
Sleeping with the head covered increases the concentration of carbon dioxide and decrease concentration of oxygen that may lead to brain damaging effects

8. Working Your Brain During Illness
Working hard or studying with sickness may lead to a decrease in effectiveness of the brain as well as damage the brain

9. Talking Rarely
Intellectual conversations will promote the efficiency of the brain

06/06/2017

Sri Lanka named Asia’s leading destination 2017
AFP Relaxnews | June 6, 2017
Sri Lanka has been emerging as an interesting travel alternative to Thailand, for its beaches, wildlife safaris and adventure tours.

Adventure-seekers and intrepid globetrotters looking to blaze new trails in Southeast Asia will want to consider adding Sri Lanka to their travel bucket list, after the country claimed the title of leading destination and leading adventure tourism destination for Asia over the weekend.
At the World Travel Awards Asia & Australasia 2017, which were held in Shanghai, Sri Lanka took the title of leading destination for the region, an award that reflects a country’s range of tourism products and services.
The country was also named the leading adventure tourism destination.
Winners are based on an online voting process cast by industry leaders and travel professionals.
Sri Lanka has been emerging as an interesting travel alternative to Thailand, for its beaches, wildlife safaris and adventure tours.

Along with its native land mammals — elephants, leopards and wild buffalos — the island’s marine surroundings make the destination one of the best for whale and dolphin watching.
Sri Lanka is also known among thrill-seekers for offering top-notch surfing and diving experiences, jungle treks, hikes and elephant-riding and rock-climbing adventures.
Other big winners of the night include The Oberoi Udaivilas in India, which took home the title of Asia’s leading hotel 2017 and The Peninsula Hong Kong, which was named Asia’s leading luxury hotel 2017.
For Australasia, the Pullman Sydney Hyde Park in Australia was named the leading hotel, and Yasawa Islands in Fiji Australasia’s leading destination.
Here are some of the big winners from the gala event:
Asia
Leading airline: Hainan Airlines
Leading airline economy class: Cathay Pacific
Leading beach destination: Thailand
Leading boutique hotel: Casa Del Mar Langkawi, Malaysia
Leading city break destination: Hong Kong
Leading cruise line: Star Cruises
Leading fine dining and hotel restaurant: La Maison 1888 InterContinental Danang Sun Peninsula Resort, Vietnam
Leading low-cost airline: AirAsia
Australasia
Leading airline: Air New Zealand
Leading private island resort: Laucala Island, Fiji
Most romantic resort: The Remort Resort, Fiji Islands

02/06/2017

Tourism taskforce to drive 2025 vision

A new high-profile taskforce has been appointed to drive Sri Lanka’s 2025 vision for the tourism industry.

The 13-member taskforce recommended by Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe has been approved and appointed by the Cabinet.

The taskforce is chaired by Hari Selvanthan and comprises Tourism Ministry Secretary Janaka Sugathadasa, Sri Lanka Tourism Chairman Paddy Withana, Harry Jayawardena, Udaya Nanayakkara, Merril J. Fernando, Dhammika Perera, Abbas Esufally, Shiromal Cooray, Geoffrey Dobbs, Dinesh Weerakkody, Dileep Mudadeniya and Thilak Weerasinghe.

John Amaratunga’s Tourism Ministry will be responsible for monitoring the progress of the recommendations made by the taskforce. The members of the taskforce met Prime Minister Wickremesinghe prior to his departure to the US.

The tourism industry also has an Advisory Council appointed under the Tourism Act. It comprises several of the members of the new taskforce as well and meets quarterly.

Sources said the council plays a more advisory role whereas the taskforce will be more aggressive in terms of policy and strategy with several critical subcommittees to drive national plans.

The industry has set its sights on four million tourist arrivals by 2020, with earnings of $ 5 billion.

At present tourism accounts for close to 5% of Sri Lanka's $ 81 billion GDP. Tourist arrivals to Sri Lanka crossed the two million milestone for the first time in history, reaching 2,050,832 arrivals, recording an impressive annual growth of 14% in 2016.

Earnings from tourism last year hit an all-time high of $ 3.4 billion as against $ 2.98 billion in 2015.

Post-war Sri Lanka has enjoyed a 93-month streak of tourist increases until February this year when arrivals were impacted because of the partial closure of Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA) to upgrade the runway.

Arrivals in the first four months of this year were up 6% to 765,202 with performance in January-March impacted by the partial closure of BIA.

Though Sri Lanka is targeting four million tourists by 2020 (original figure was 4.5 million but was revised to lure more quality and high-spending visitors), recently the Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA) said its forecast for Sri Lanka in 2020 is 3.7 million with an annual average growth of 10.4% from 2017 onwards.

However, Sri Lanka’s growth estimate is a higher forecast for Asia Pacific which is 6% in 2017 and will continue at 5% per annum to 2021. South Asia’s average is 7.5% per annum and Southeast Asia’s is 6.6% although both are among the fastest growing destination sub-regions between 2016 and 2021 according to PATA. - See more at: http://www.ft.lk/article/619523/Tourism-taskforce-to-drive-2025-vision .MEJHwWBQ.UccVGbWA.dpuf

20/04/2017

Chinese tourists spent 12% more in travelling abroad in 2016
PR No.: PR 17046
12 Apr 17
2016 results on expenditure from major outbound markets reflect increasing demand for international tourism across the world, as reported in the latest UNWTO World Tourism Barometer. With a 12% increase in spending, China continued to lead international outbound tourism, followed by the United States, Germany, the United Kingdom and France as top five spenders.

“The latest data on outbound tourism spending are very encouraging. Despite the many challenges of recent years, results of spending on travel abroad are consistent with the 4% growth to 1.2 billion international tourist arrivals reported earlier this year for 2016. People continue to have a strong appetite for travel and this benefits many countries all around the world, translating into economic growth, job creation and opportunities for development” said UNWTO Secretary-General, Taleb Rifai.

Chinese tourists spent 12% more on tourism abroad in 2016

2016 was another strong year for outbound tourism from China, the world’s leading outbound market. International tourism expenditure grew by US$ 11 billion to US$ 261 billion, an increase by 12% (in local currency). The number of outbound travellers rose 6% to 135 million in 2016. This growth consolidates China’s position as number one source market in the world since 2012, following a trend of double-digit growth in tourism expenditure every year since 2004.

The growth in outbound travel from China benefited many destinations in Asia and the Pacific, most notably Japan, the Republic of Korea and Thailand, but also long-haul destinations such as the United States and several in Europe.

Aside from China, three other Asian outbound markets among the first ten showed very positive results. The Republic of Korea (US$ 27 billion) and Australia (US$ 27 billion) both spent 8% more in 2016 and Hong Kong (China) entered the top 10 following 5% growth in expenditure (US$ 24 billion).

Second largest market the United States maintains strength

Tourism spending from the United States the world’s second largest source market increased 8% in 2016 to US$ 122 billion, up US$ 9 billion on 2015. For a third year in a row, strong outbound demand was fuelled by a robust US dollar and economy. The number of US residents travelling to international destinations increased 8% through November 2016 (74 million in 2015).

By contrast, Canada, the second source market from the Americas in the top ten, reported flat results, with US$ 29 billion spent on international tourism, while the number of outbound overnight trips declined by 3% to 31 million.

Germany, the United Kingdom, France and Italy lead tourism spending in Europe

Germany, the United Kingdom, France and Italy are the four European markets in the top ten and all reported growth in outbound demand last year. Germany, the world’s third largest market, reported 5% growth in international tourism spending last year, rebounding from weaker figures in 2015, reaching US$ 81 billion.

Demand from the United Kingdom, the world’s fourth largest source market, remained sound despite the significant depreciation of the British pound in 2016. UK residents' visits abroad were up by 5 million (+7%) in 2016 to 70 million, with expenditure close to US$ 64 billion.

France, the world’s fifth largest market, reported 7% growth in tourism expenditure in 2016 to reach US$ 41 billion. Italy recorded 1% growth in spending to US$ 25 billion and a 3% increase in overnight trips to 29 million.

Many more source markets report growing outbound expenditure

Among the largest 50 source markets, there were another nine that recorded double-digit growth in spending in 2016: Vietnam (+28%), Argentina (+26%), Egypt (+19%), Spain (+17%), India (+16%), Israel and Ukraine (both +12%), Qatar and Thailand (both +11%).

By contrast, outbound tourism from some commodity exporters continued to be depressed as a consequence of their weaker economy and currencies. Expenditure from the Russian Federation declined further in 2016 to US$ 24 billion. International tourism spending from Brazil also decreased in 2016.

Note to Editors

The above data is preliminary and subject to revision. Comprehensive results are included in the latest issue of the UNWTO World Tourism Barometer.

Relevant links:

UNWTO World Tourism Barometer

International Tourism Expenditure – Top Spenders 2016 Infographics

International Tourist Arrivals 2016 Infographics