SriLankan Cuts Fares by 20pct to Offer Flexible & Competitive Range of Fares for Flights from Colombo

10th July 2011, www.sundaytimes.lk

SriLankan Airlines has announced an attractive, flexible air fare plan to provide a more competitive range of fares for flights from Colombo to many of its destinations in its global network. SriLankan currently operates approximately 175 flights a week, out of Colombo to destinations in Europe, the Middle East, Far East and the Sub-continent.

The airline said the fares’ structures have been constructed to suit a variety of passenger needs and options which include special one-way fares for students travelling to London, Kuala Lumpur and Bangalore; special one-way fares for SriLankan employees to the Middle Eastern countries such as Doha, Dubai and Saudi Arabia; attractive group fares for pilgrimages to India, Jeddah and Thailand; competitive fares for business travellers to the Far East; and special Prepaid Ticket Advices (PTAs) to bring-in loved ones home from other destinations. Overall, fares have been slashed by about 15 – 20 %.

“There is a double advantage for business travellers who can now enjoy competitive fares and direct longhaul flights to Europe without the hassle of stopovers. In addition to special business fares, passengers can avail themselves of a limousine transfer to their hotels or homes at no extra cost in London. Special fares are also extended to passengers travelling beyond SriLankan’s online points to offline destinations such as Scandinavia, Ireland, Portugal, Greece, Istanbul to name a few in Europe. New Far East fares announced by the airline apply to offline destinations such as the Philippines, Korea, Vietnam and Papua New Guinea,” it said.

Flights out of Colombo to the SAARC destinations of Dhaka, Kathmandu, Lahore, Pune, Nagpur, Goa, Jaipur and Ahamadabad; plus passengers flying to Canada and USA via Transatlantic points of London, Paris, Frankfurt and Abu Dhabi can also purchase competitive tickets through SriLankan Airlines.

The airline said passengers who purchase tickets at least two weeks prior to travel, will have the Advance Purchase advantage of obtaining tickets at a lower fare. SriLankan has also announced infant/child discounts and the flexibility to receive date and route changes at a minimum fee, than before.

“We are making significant progress in many aspects of our operations allowing us to offer more benefits to our passengers,” said SriLankan’s Chief Marketing Officer, G. T. Jeyaseelan.

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US Cruise Operator Zegrahm Expeditions Includes Sri Lanka in 2011 Destinations List

08th December 201, www.island.lk

American cruise operator Zegrahm Expeditions has included Sri Lanka in its destinations list for 2011, a report filed in USA Today said.

"The adventure cruise operator is rolling out a series of voyages that include stops in little-visited Sri Lanka — a first for the 20-year-old company," the report said.

It said Zegrahm would give adventure travelers the chance to explore Sri Lanka’s lush tropical forests, white-sand beaches and rich biodiversity, as well as cultural sights, including a stopover in Kandy.

"The line plans four voyages that stop in Sri Lanka in 2011, all on the 110-passenger Clipper Odyssey:

The Bay of Bengal & the Andaman Sea (Jan. 17 – Feb. 6, 2011) and India and the Maldives with Sri Lanka and Lakshadweeps (Dec. 17, 2011 – Jan. 3, 2012) voyages each include two days in Sri Lanka. Passengers will visit 1000-year-old cultural sites including the Golden Temple of Dambulla, the largest and best-preserved cave temple complex in Sri Lanka; and the Temple of the Tooth, which houses the tooth of Lord Bhudda encased in a gold casket. These expeditions both overnight in the village of Habarna," USA Today said.

"Splendors of India with Sri Lanka (Feb. 1 – 17, 2011) and Southern India by Sea with Sri Lanka (Dec. 7 – 21, 2011) include a full-day exploration of Galle that includes a visit to its Dutch colonial era fort (a World Heritage Site) and the Poorvarama Temple. Travelers spend a second day in the Sri Lankan highlands visiting the Temple of the Tooth and other sites.

On the Splendours of India voyage participants also will overnight in Kandy, the capital of Sri Lanka’s Hill Country," the report said.

Lloyds Registry of London removed Sri Lanka from its war-risk earlier this year, almost a year after the 30 year old conflict ended in May 2009, which greatly increased the potential for trade and cruise lines to increase their calls.

While Colombo is an established commercial port, and Hambantota in the South being developed as another, the government intends to develop the port of Galle into marina to attract adventure tourism and professional yachters.

Industry analysts said authorities should also try to improve facilities for cruise lines in Colombo. "Being the country’s capital with a lot to offer, steps must be taken to make Colombo cruise-friendly too," an analyst said.

Related Info:
Latest destination for adventure cruise company Zegrahm: Sri Lanka