DESPITE the proliferation of technology that makes it easier for companies to communicate internationally, an Egencia study revealed that a majority of corporates still find in-person meetings more effective and productive.

The study further showed that travellers in Australia, Canada, China, India, the UK and the US made a stronger endorsement for face-to-face meetings on average, at 90 per cent, higher than the global average of 86 per cent.

Meanwhile, 91 per cent of travellers with a title of vice president and above indicated a preference for conducting business in-person.

The study further revealed that 67 per cent of those surveyed said they would be less successful in their role if they did not travel to meet their potential clients and customers.

Kathurogoda Ancient Vihara in the Jaffna district, Sri Lanka

BANGKOK-based Khiri Travel has introduced a tour itinerary to the city of Jaffna in northern Sri Lanka, one of the first agencies to do so now that the the surrounding region has recovered from civil conflict.

According to a statement by Khiri, the 4D/3N package is now being launched as the area has returned to normalcy, allowing travellers to explore the place whether by train, bicycle, jeep or catamaran.

“Our aim is to share the wonderful seafood, curry, architecture, beaches and friendliness of the Jaffna people with guests who share a passion for discovery,” said Gonzalo Gil Lavedra, general manager of Khiri Travel Sri Lanka, who inspected the area and created the trip.

“We are providing an itinerary that is not only groundbreaking in terms of the destination and experience, but has been designed with the people of Jaffna in mind.”

Highlights of the itinerary include a train ride aboard the Queen of Jaffna that passes through the main conflict region, a visit to Casuarina Beach, a full-day ride on a catamaran to nearby islands, and many more.

“If there is a place in Sri Lanka that has remained hidden, it is Delft island. With its unique people, coral walls, fort, feral horses, food, temples and lovely beaches, I could go on and on. But the best way is for the clients to see it for themselves,” said Gil Lavedra.

“The area is perfectly safe. The time is right for tour operators to add Jaffna to their Sri Lanka itineraries.”

Costa neoClassica

COSTA Cruises is marking its entry into the Indian market with the launch of the Costa neoClassica from homeport Mumbai between December 16, 2016 to March 18, 2017.

The weekly itineraries will include destinations such as Goa, Cochin and Colombo. The Costa neoClassica will also be the first large cruise ship to sail between Mumbai and the Maldives.

The vessel has 654 cabins – including sea view cabins and suites with private balconies – and feature a casino, theatre, disco, ballroom, duty-free shopping centre, library and bar. Its wellness centre is spread across 1,300m² with a gym, treatment rooms, sauna and steam room. It also features an outdoor jogging track, four jacuzzis and two swimming pools. Indian and Italian cuisine will be available onboard.

First launched in 1991 as the Costa Classica, the vessel has undergone several rounds of refurbishments over the years. It was relaunched as the Costa neoClassica along with its most recent upgrade in December 2014.

Nalini Gupta, managing director of Lotus Destinations (GSA of Costa Cruises India), feels the modern Indian traveller is now seeking a different kind of thrill and cruise holidays are now a must-do for them.

She added that “the fact that Indians can now embark directly from Mumbai not only makes the process hassle-free and visa-free, but also saves the traveller cost and time”.

IN AN unprecedented move, Sri Lanka is offering open skies and all nine air freedoms to any organisation interested in running its second international airport.

The Mahinda Rajapaksa International Airport (MRIA), located about 250km south of Colombo, had been chalking up losses from day one and has been described as “one of the loneliest airports in the world” by international media.

Only budget carriers Flydubai and Rotana Jet are using the airport since its opening in March 2013. The lack of infrastructure and distance from the capital has made it unattractive for airlines. National carrier SriLankan Airlines had operated flights via MRIA but discontinued in early 2015 as it was uneconomical.

Now, in a bid to revive interest in the airport, the government had on July 3 called for expressions of interest from international players to operate the airport. Bids close on August 12.

A senior aviation official, who declined to be named, said a few parties including two Chinese companies, a Japanese company and a consortium believed to represent Airbus have shown interest but not yet submitted bids.

However, the widely-authoritative political column in last week’s Colombo-based Sunday Times newspaper said the government had already decided to hand over airport operations to China’s IZP group, which also recently purchased Italy’s Parma International Airport, as a trade-off for a US$210 million loan.

Bandaranaike International Airport

SRI Lanka’s main gateway will operate mostly night flights for three months in 2017, from January 6 to April 6, so that the airport’s 30-year-old runway can undergo urgent repairs.

The Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) informed industry stakeholders last week that flights won’t be permitted between 08.30 and 16.30 at the Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA) for the period.

The dates and hours of closure were decided in consultation with airline operators, said the CAA.

Operators said that the repairs are necessary and agreed to day flights being rescheduled to operate during after hours. Ruha Jasinghe, secretary of the Sri Lanka Association of Airline Representatives said the repairs are needed and long overdue, and are looking at ways to try and reduce the inconvenience to passengers.

This is the first time overlaying work is being carried out on the airport’s runway since it completed construction in 1986.

BIA handles an average of 170 flights per day with roughly 60 flights taking place during daytime. Last year, 8.2 million passengers passed through the airport.

SriLankan Airlines CEO Suren Ratwatte told local media that they are now working on the new schedules. Other sources added that the national carrier would be the most affected due to the volume of flights they operate.

Etihad Airways general manager Kumar De Silva said they would not be impacted as they operate day flights only during the summer.

According to officials, there is also a likelihood that some flights will operate out of Mahinda Rajapaksa International Airport in cases of emergency.

A meeting will be held later this month to iron out how carriers will operate during this period, stated the CAA.

Inside the Wonsan Kalma International Airport. Credit: Aram Pan/DPRK360.com

NORTH Korea is embarking on a major campaign to expand its tourism sector and is appealing to foreign investors to sink money into the Kalma district on the east coast of the peninsula.

The campaign to develop Kalma, close to the city of Wonsan, comes just weeks after North Korea created another special tourism zone at Mubong, the area around Mount Paektu and on the border with China.

State media has reported that a resort town is to be constructed along a 4km stretch of beach at Kalma and is emphasising its proximity to scenic spots including Mount Kumgang, Lake Sijung, Samil lagoon and the Masikryong ski resort.

Under the terms of the 2013 Law on Economic Development of Parks, foreign investors are permitted to carry out independent business activities in designated tourism zones. However, the country’s appeal to investors remains questionable as it still faces international economic sanctions.

Simon Cockerell, general manager of Beijing-based Koryo Tours, said a conference last year for potential investors in the Wonsan area attracted “a couple of hundred people, almost all of them Chinese”. Yet, he remains skeptical of the event’s success as “investment there can be complicated”.

It is also uncertain if tourism development in the area will be matched with mass market tourist demand. “Wonsan already has hotels and an airport built, so they have done the easy stuff,” Cockerell said. “But why would tourists want to go there?”

VIETNAM-based DMC Phoenix Voyages will be organising a marathon in Siem Reap in 2017 after a successful inaugural run held earlier this year.

The travel agency, which operates mainly in South-east Asia, initiated the UltraTrail d’Angkor with co-organiser SDPO (a French running association) in January as a way to merge sports and cultural experiences into a singular event. The run brings participants through the famed Angkor Temples, nearby forests, rice fields and local villages.

“Arrivals in Cambodia are increasing every year and I see sports tourism as the next step. I think in five years’ (time and beyond), with its constant development, Cambodia will become more and more like neighbouring Thailand,” said Francois Lefebvre, project manager at Phoenix Voyages, adding that while there are other marathon events in Cambodia, they are the first to hold it in the middle of the Angkor Temples.

The debut run saw 307 registered runners, mostly FITs from 26 different nationalities, spread across four scheduled courses ranging from 32km to 128km, as well as a Nordic Walking route.

According to Lefebvre, most of the participants originated from France, Thailand, China and the UK.

For next year’s marathon, to be held on January 21, 2017, a new 16km category will be introduced. More archaeological sites will also be featured along the routes for sightseeing purposes, if all goes to plan.

On the promotions front, Lefebvre said that utilising social media is the key strategy for now. “We focus mainly on our social networks to provide a constant flow of content and information about our event to stay connected with the marathon community. It also allows us to be in direct contact with them to know their expectations and to answer all their requests.

“We also have partnerships set up with local travel agencies in order to try and have a physical presence in every country.”

He added that interested corporate groups are also welcome to approach Phoenix Voyages for details about team building or incentive packages.

Tourism New Zealand’s newest promotional video featuring James Cameron and his wife walking the Routeburn Track in South Island, New Zealand

INDONESIA and New Zealand have signed an MoU in display of their commitment to boost travel between the two countries.

The MoU, signed by Arief Yahya, Indonesia’s tourism minister, and Todd McClay, New Zealand’s trade minister, in Jakarta on July 18, covers areas such as human resource development, information exchange, destination and tourism product development, marketing and promotions.

In addition, both countries agreed to engage in greater cooperation in regional and international forums.

Commenting on the signing, I Gde Pitana, deputy minister for international marketing development at the Indonesia Ministry of Tourism, said: “(Traffic between the two countries) is still small, but we could make it better, especially through tourism. The MoU is a milestone to enhance cooperation.”

He expects that the number of New Zealanders travelling to Indonesia would increase, especially in light of visa exemptions and the easing of regulation for yachting in the country.

There were around 17,000 Indonesian arrivals to New Zealand during the fiscal year ending May 2016, while around 79,000 Kiwis visited Indonesia in the same period.

Despite weaker arrivals into New Zealand, Steven Dixon, Tourism New Zealand’s regional manager South & South East Asia, said things are looking up. “If we look back at the last five years, we have seen the market grow about 65 per cent.”

According to Dixon, Tourism New Zealand intends to continue boosting demand from Indonesia through branding, public relations and cooperation with the trade.

He further urged the travel trade to work closely with agents from Indonesia to “create compelling packages to market New Zealand”.

As well, the tourism promotion body will bring Kiwi Link, a B2B training exchange, to Jakarta this October for the first time.

“The New Zealand trade would introduce their products to their Indonesian counterparts and learn from the Indonesian trade on the characteristics of Indonesian travellers,” commented Dixon.