#Sri lanka Tour Operators in Chennai | Explore Tumblr posts and blogs

razorblogz · 1 year ago

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Daily flights from Chennai to Sri Lanka's Jaffna from July 16: Union Civil Aviation Minister

Sri Lanka Tourism said that India continues to lead among the top ten markets, with the number of Indian tourist arrivals expected to double by 2023.

COLOMBO [Sri Lanka]: Union Minister of Civil Aviation Jyotiraditya Scindia has announced that the frequency of flights between Chennai and Sri Lanka’s Jaffna will be increased from four times a week to daily services from July 16.

The daily flights from Chennai to Jaffna will also amplify trade and commerce between India and Sri Lanka, Scindia noted.

The Union Civil Aviation Minister made these remarks in a pre-recorded message on day-2 of the 67th Annual Convention of the Travel Agents Association of India (TAAI), being hosted in Colombo.

In his address, he underscored the strong cultural and trade relations between India and Sri Lanka.

“Delighted to virtually share my thoughts on the state of the Indian #aviation sector and its emergence as the key pillar of national progress at the 67th Annual Convention of @TAAI1951, Sri Lanka. Also highlighted the strong cultural and trade ties between India & Sri Lanka that have been marked by cooperation in the field of commerce, infrastructure development and connectivity,” tweeted Scinida.

At the convention, he said, “Prior to 2014, India’s aviation sector was on the runway. In the last nine years, it has finally taken off. A stable and competitive aviation sector is on the angle. I believe that our partnership with Sri Lanka gives us a rare opportunity to undertake several reforms to address short term challenges in the sector and become an important access of power and influence in the global aviation ecosystem.”

He added that the first air service agreement between the two countries was signed in 1968, allowing Indian carriers to operate aircraft from any point in India to any point in Sri Lanka, which enhanced the connectivity in the Global South.

“Currently, 16 flights are operational from different sectors of India to Colombo. Cargo movement has also been smoothened and with the assistance from both governments, we are operating a direct flight from Chennai to Jaffna today through this platform,” Scindia said.

He also announced that based on increased demand and potential of this route to amplify trade and commerce, “we will increase this frequency from four times a week to daily flights effective from July 16, 2023.”

He also urged all stakeholders to come together to take the industry to newer heights of success and growth.

The convention of the Travel Agents Association of India, after an 18-year hiatus, is being held in Sri Lanka’s capital Colombo from July 6 to 9 with over 700 participants primarily from India, RRM Lilani wrote the report.

The historical connection between India and Sri Lanka, spanning thousands of years, adds to the significance of the 67th Convention of the TAAI.

TAAI’s 2022 Convention, originally planned for April 19 to 22 in Colombo, was postponed due to political unrest and economic crisis but today, as Sri Lanka is on its revival path, the Convention has returned to the country to promote a regional tourism network.

Sri Lanka Tourism said that India continues to lead among the top ten markets, with the number of Indian tourist arrivals expected to double by 2023. To promote tourist attractions, cultural value, and travel opportunities, Sri Lanka hosts roadshows in India to create a positive perception among Indian tourists.

In Colombo, TAAI, the largest and oldest tourism agency in India, is set to showcase the theme of ‘Futuristic Focus on Transcending Borders’ and emphasize Sri Lanka’s position as a safe, convenient, and welcoming destination for Indian tourists, at the Bandaranaike Memorial International Conference Hall. The convention, in collaboration with the Sri Lanka Tourism Promotion Bureau and the Sri Lanka Association of Inbound Tour Operators, has received strong support from the Sri Lankan Airlines.

The event was inaugurated by Sri Lankan President Ranil Wickremesinghe and Prime Minister Dinesh Gunawardena, along with other key dignitaries and delegate members from both countries.

The Indian High Commissioner to Sri Lanka, Gopal Bagley, delivered a welcome address, highlighting the significance of this prestigious event and providing a platform for networking and knowledge sharing among participants from various countries.

Under the theme ‘Transcending Borders’, the convention aims to explore the evolving landscape of the tourism industry, emphasizing the embrace of new adventures and destinations.

Sri Lanka has the popular Ramayana Trail, which attracts North Indian tourists, and last year, Sri Lanka Tourism introduced the “Murugan Trail” for South Indians. The “Murugan Trail” includes approximately ten places of worship, from the north to the south of Sri Lanka, including the Jaffna Nallur Kandaswamy Kovil and the Kataragama or Kadirgamam Murugan Temple.

Lord Shiva is also worshipped as one of the main deities among the South Indian community.

Tourism plays a vital role in the bilateral relationship between India and Sri Lanka. The central government introduced the e-Tourist Visa (eTV) scheme for Sri Lankan tourists on April 14, 2015, and reduced the visa fee as a goodwill gesture.

Of a total of 1.91 million tourists visiting Sri Lanka in 2019, 355,000 were from India.

Sri Lankan tourists are also among the top ten sources for the Indian tourism market. The tourism sector in Sri Lanka, which was severely affected by the Easter Sunday attacks, received a boost from Indian tourists.

India included Sri Lanka in its free visa-on-arrival scheme to further strengthen ties on July 24, 2019.

#Chennai #Sri Lanka

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thesun · 3 years ago

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[24/6 7:25 ಪೂರ್ವಾಹ್ನ] Babu Anjanappa: ╭───────────────────╮

🌄 *S̴h̴u̴b̴o̴u̴d̴h̴a̴y̴ : 24 Jun/जेस्ट मासा (Thursday) ग्रीष्म ऋतू*🙏🏻

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*Today's top News* ➣➣➣➣➣➣➣➣➣➣➣➣➣➣

1. J&K leaders arrive in Delhi to attend PM’s all-party meeting. 14 leaders, including 4 ex-chief ministers of J&K, invited for an all-party meeting with PM Modi on the Union Territory on June 24.

2. Congress president Sonia Gandhi will decide on the Punjab Govt & party revitalisation by July 8-10, AICC general secretary in-charge of the state Harish Rawat said.

3. Assets worth Rs 9,371 crore belonging to fugitive businessmen Vijay Mallya, Nirav Modi, Mehul Choksi have been transferred to state-run banks, who suffered losses, on account of the fraud committed against them. Total assets worth Rs 18,170.02 crore has been seized by the Enforcement Directorate so far, 80% of which is the the total bank loss.

4. Union Cabinet on 23 June approved allocation of additional foodgrain under Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Yojana, Phase IV for another period of five months from July to Nov 2021. Under it, 5 Kg foodgrains per person per month free of cost will be given to the beneficiaries covered under National Food Security Act .

5. National COVID-19 vaccination coverage crosses 29.46 crore mark; Recovery rate reaches 96.56%

6. Around 40 cases of the Delta Plus variant, classified as a variant of concern (VOC), have been detected sporadically in Maharashtra, Kerala and Madhya Pradesh, the Union Health Ministry said.

7. In Bihar RJD Leader of Opposition Tejashwi Prasad Yadav asked LJP leader & Jamui MP Chirag Paswan to join him, reminding him how Lalu Prasad had helped Ram Vilas Paswan get nominated to the Rajya Sabha in 2010 when LJP had no MP or MLAs.

8. Delhi Dy CM Manish Sisodia said that the Central govt in a letter said it has “rejected” a “proposal” for doorstep delivery of ration in the city and attacked PM Modi for it.

9. The weather forecast for today says, the National Capital Delhi is likely to have strong surface winds during daytime. The temperature will hover between 28 & 40 degrees Celsius.

10. The Karnataka govt on 23 June set in motion the process to conduct the Secondary School Leaving Certificate Examination or the 10th standard examination in third week of July by releasing the standard operating procedure (SOP) for teachers.

11. Lokmanya Tilak Municipal Medical College & General Hospital, popularly known as Sion Hospital has thanked Bollywood actor Amitabh Bachchan for providing critical infrastructure worth almost Rs 1.75 crore, including class 1 ventilators

12. An unidentified terrorist gunned down in encounter between terrorists and security forces at Shirmal area of Shopian in J&K

13. Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) is set to back in action.

Defence sources said that new missile, a variant of Agni-I, will be flight tested from a defence facility off Odisha coast between June 28 - 29. Initially christened as 'Agni Prime', the missile will have a strike range of 1000 km to 1500 km.

14. Four theatre commands likely to be raised by year-end. The four commands planned are air defence command, maritime theatre command, integrated eastern theatre command and integrated western theatre command. Chief of Defence Staff Gen Bipin Rawat held extensive deliberations with the Vice Chiefs of the three services and senior officials of the defence ministry to iron out differences on setting up of theatre commands.

15. It was expected that PM Modi would make an announcement on the creation of the commands, which would be the biggest reorganisation of the Indian armed forces since Independence, and the commands were likely to be raised by year-end.

*✈INTERNATIONAL NEWS*

1. The Indian Navy will get three MH-60 Romeo helicopters in July this year, out of 24 MH-60 “Romeo” multi-mission heavy-duty helicopters, these are equipped with multi-mode radars & night-vision devices as well as armed with Hellfire missiles, MK-54 torpedoes and precision-kill rockets, it was the Rs 15,157 crore

contract inked with the United States.

2. Indian Navy and Indian Air Force (IAF) are participating in a Passage Exercise with US Navy’s Carrier Strike Group (CSG) Ronald Reagan which is transiting through Indian Ocean Region (IOR) from June 23-24, 2021.

3. India is pushing for a comprehensive ceasefire in Afghanistan amid a massive spike in violence in that country and reports of its contact with the Taliban for the first time in the backdrop of a renewed push for the Afghan peace process.

4. Russia is offering the Indian Army a comprehensive upgrade of the Dragunov sniper rifle in service with almost all frontline battalions, with a demonstration planned next month.

5. Last week, the Border Security Force arrested a Chinese national identified as Hun Junwei close to the Bangladesh border in Malda.Investigations so far have revealed that he was involved in cyber fraud and alleged acts threatening national security. He also said that several agencies of China are trying to hack various websites of the Indian govt including those under the Ministry of Defence. He was possessing an Indian identity card and Aadhaar card with him.

6. Pakistan continues to “provide pensions to dreaded and listed terrorists” and host them in its territory, India said at the United Nations. The remarks were made by Pawankumar Badhe, first Secretary, Indian Permanent Mission in Geneva at the 47th Session of the United Nations Human Right Council (UNHRC).

7. Air France to commence Paris-Chennai weekly flight from June 26 under air bubble pact.

8. India reaffirmed its commitment towards eliminating educational inequalities at G20 Education Ministers meeting held in Italy virtually. Addressing the meeting, Minister of State in the Education Ministry Sanjay Dhotre reiterated the country’s commitment towards reducing and eventually eliminating educational poverty, inequalities and early school leaving.

*🌎WORLD NEWS🌍*

1. The Communist Party of China will celebrate the 100th anniversary of its founding this July. The Communist Party of China was founded in 1921 by Chen Duxiu and Li Dazhao, with the help of the Far Eastern Bureau of the Russian Communist Party (Bolsheviks), who seized power in Russia after the 1917 October Revolution, and the Far Eastern Secretariat of the Communist International.

2. A Russian military ship fired warning shots at a British Royal Navy destroyer after it entered Russian waters in the Black Sea. The Royal Navy destroyer HMS Defender briefly sailed through territorial waters off the coast of the disputed territory of Crimea.

3. A sudden Bomb Blast took place Outside the Wanted Mumbai blasts master mindTerrorist Hafiz Saeed's House In Lahore; 3 killed and 20 Injured.

4. The US military could slow down its withdrawal from Afghanistan due to the gains made by the Taliban insurgents.The situation in Afghanistan changes as the Taliban continue to conduct these attacks and to raid district centres as well as the violence.

5. Face masks to no longer be compulsory in Italy from 28 June: Health Minister Roberto Speranza said. By June 28, experts predict all of Italy will be classified a "white" zone.

6. Bangladesh railway has suspended all trains operating to and from Dhaka in view of the current COVID situation in the country.

*🚣🚴🏇🏁🏊Sports:*

1. WTC Final: New Zealand beat India by 8 wickets to win inaugural World Test Championship.

IND vs NZ Cricket

Final test, The Rose Bowl, Southampton,

INDIA. 1ST INN

217/10. (92.1) RR 2.35

2ND INN. 170 /10

(73.0) 2.33

NEW ZEALAND

1ST INN

249/10. (99.2) RR 2.51

2ND INN. 140 /2

2. Indian Golfer Anirban Lahiri qualifies for Tokyo Olympics. Lahiri, a former Asia No. 1 and two-time winner on the European Tour, will be representing the country in Olympics for the second time.

3. The Indian Davis Cupper,

Ramkumar, who slipped out of the top-200 for lack of good results, is just win away from his maiden Grand Slam appearance after progressing to the final round of the Wimbledon qualifying tournament with a straight-set victory over Argentina’s Tomas Martin Etcheverry, in London, on 23 June (won 6-3, 6-4.). India's Prajnesh Gunneswaran and Ankita Raina exited from qualifier earlier.

4. England Beats Sri Lanka By 8 Wickets To Open Twenty20 Series in Cardiff. England reached its target of 130 with 17 balls to spare. Sri Lanka was limited to 129/7.

5. Men’s tennis player, Denis Shapovalov of Canada, has pulled out of Tokyo Games citing “safety reasons” due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

*USD 74.15 💷GBP 103.64*

_In Puducherry_

*🥇Gold ₹50,495©10 gm 24 (Krt)*

🥈 *Silver ₹75,700©Kg*

⛽ *Petrol ₹ 95.28*

⛽ *Diesel ₹ 91.83*

*LPG : ₹ 822/14.2 Kg*

*BSE Sensex* 52,306.08

*NIFTY* : 15,686.95

Ⓝⓐⓥⓔⓔⓝ Ⓚⓤⓜⓐⓡ

*🇮🇳Facts about India🇮🇳*

Ashoka the Great, was an Indian emperor of the Maurya Dynasty, who ruled almost all of the Indian subcontinent from c. 268 to 232 BCE. The grandson of the founder of the Maurya Dynasty, Chandragupta Maurya, and the son of Bindusara.

Ashoka waged a destructive war against the state of Kalinga (modern Odisha), which he conquered in about 260 BCE. He converted to Buddhism after witnessing the mass deaths of the Kalinga War.

The national emblem is an adaptation of the Lion Capital, originally found atop the Ashoka Column at Sarnath, established in 250 BC. ... The capital was adopted as the national emblem on January 26, 1950. It was chosen as a symbol of contemporary India's reaffirmation of its ancient commitment to world peace and goodwill

*😀Thought of the day*

Challenges make you more responsible. Always remember that life without struggle is a life without success. Don't give up and lear not to quit.

*Joke of the day*

*टीचर* - बताओ रोज बादाम खाने से क्या होगा।:

*स्टुडैंट* - बादाम खतम हो जाएंगे ।🤪🤣😂

*😳Why❓❓❓*

*Why Do We Have Eyebrows* ?

Eyebrows keeps moisture out of our eyes and for making communication.

Ever notice how your eyebrow hairs grow outward, toward the sides of your face? That helps direct any moisture away from your eyes toward the side of your head. Eyebrows can also reduce the amount of light that gets into your eyes and keep dirt away from them, too. They help us express emotions and recognize each other. Eyebrows are an important part of human expression and communication. They allow us to show our emotions. One raised eyebrow expresses skepticism or interest. Two raised eyebrows can express surprise.

Beyond looks and emotions, eyebrows are also more generally important for facial recognition. In one older 2003 study scientists asked a group of people to identify the faces of fifty famous people, such as former U.S. president Richard Nixon and actress Winona Ryder. The scientists manipulated the photos so that they’d either have no eyes or no eyebrows. Subjects could still identify the famous faces 60 % of the time when they lacked eyes.

But when the faces lacked eyebrows, subjects could identify them just 46 % of the time. Scientists said this indicates that eyebrows are just as important as — or maybe more important than — eyes in allowing us to recognize faces.

*LEARN Sanskrit*🙏🏻

*स्पंदन* : प्रतिक्रिया Recation

🤔 *How it works* ⁉

*How does snow form?*

Snow forms when tiny ice crystals in clouds stick together to become snowflakes. If enough crystals stick together, they'll become heavy enough to fall to the ground. Snowflakes that descend through moist air that is slightly warmer than 0 °C will melt around the edges and stick together to produce big flakes. Snow is defined as *solid precipitation* Precipitation falls as snow when the air temperature is below 2 °C. It is a myth that it needs to be below zero to snow. In fact, in this country, the heaviest snowfalls tend to occur when the air temperature is between zero and 2 °C.

💁🏻‍♂️ *GK TODAY*

*GOOGLE* : Global Organization of Oriented Group Language of Earth.

🐣 *BORN TODAY* : Kannadasan pronunciation (24 June 1927 – 17 October 1981) was an Indian philosopher, poet, film song lyricist, producer, actor, script-writer, editor, philanthropist, and is heralded as one of the greatest and most important lyricists in India. Frequently called Kaviarasu or Kavirajar (King of Poets), Kannadasan was most familiar for his song lyrics in Tamil films and contributed around 5000 film lyrics apart from 6000 poems and 232 books.

*Omkarnath Thakur* (24 June 1897 – 29 December 1967), was an Indian music teacher, musicologist and Hindustani classical singer.

A disciple of classical singer Vishnu Digambar Paluskar of Gwalior gharana, he became the principal of Gandharva Mahavidyalaya, Lahore, and later went on become the first dean of the music faculty at Banaras Hindu University.

🛕 *VEDIK GNAN*

🧘🏻‍♂️🧘🏻‍♀️

According to Indian philosophy, the chakras are considered the centres of spiritual power and energy within our bodies.

The word chakra literally means "wheel" in Sanskrit and symbolises the flow of energy in our body. The 7 chakras present in your body are actually energy centres and are known to regulate emotions.

Fundamentally, any spiritual path can be described as a journey from the base chakra, called the "Mooladhara," which is located at the base of the spine, to the "Sahasrar," which located at the top of the head. This journey of movement from the Mooladhara to Sahasrar is from one dimension to another. It may happen in many different ways, and various yogic practices can effect this movement.

*Muladhara* Chakra - Root Centre

*Svadhishthana* Chakra - Lower Abdominal Centre

*Manipura* Chakra - Navel Centre

*Anahata* Chakra - Heart Centre

*Vishuddhi* Chakra - Throat Centre

*Agya* Chakra - Eyebrow Centre

*Sahasrara* Chakra - Crown Centre

The vibration and energy flow of the Chakras influence our consciousness and also our physical health. Incorrect food, bad company and negative thoughts reduce or block the energy of the Chakras, which may lead to disorders of consciousness and illness of the body.

#@#@#@#@#@#@#@

We can remember name of these chakras by words (Not in order)

*MAV MASS*

Its spells just like Nav mass(9 months); it is only a trick to remember all chakras. Accordingly we can use other tricks..

🧬 *HEALTH CARE:© HOME REMEDIES*🩺

( *Note* : These home tips followed in villages/ancient traditions, it is up to you to use it or not🙏🏻)

Eucalyptus leaves/oil are a great source of antioxidants, particularly flavonoids, which protect your body from oxidative stress and free radical damage. Eucalyptus contains a compound called eucalyptol, which has been found to decrease nasal congestion, cough frequency, and cold-related headaches. It may also improve asthma symptoms, although more research is needed.

Chewing eucalyptus leafs decrease plaque buildup on teeth and signs of gum disease.

*Regards*

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*🙏PLZ FOLLOW GOVT. NORMS, MAINT SOCIAL DISTANCE, KEEP YOURSELF ©YOUR FAMILY SAFE🌼*

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[25/6 7:23 ಪೂರ್ವಾಹ್ನ] Babu Anjanappa: ╭───────────────────╮

🌄 *S̴h̴u̴b̴o̴u̴d̴h̴a̴y̴ : 25 Jun/जेस्ट मासा (Friday) ग्रीष्म ऋतू*🙏🏻

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*Today's top News* ➣➣➣➣➣➣➣➣➣➣➣➣➣➣

1. PM Modi chaired a high-level meeting today with leaders of various political parties of Jammu and Kashmir. Detailed discussions were done on strengthening democracy in Jammu & Kashmir.

2. The former Rajya Sabha MP Ghulam Nabi Azad said that the Congress has placed five demands before the Centre. Azad, who was aided by his Congress companions Ghulam Ahmed Mir and Tara Chand, said that the meeting took place in a conducive environment and that there was no hostility. Azad also revealed that there were no restrictions in the meeting & representatives were allowed to bring up any issue speak freely without any time constraint.

3. Ghulam Nabi Azad said that

(a) Restoration of statehood is first & foremost.

(b) Conduct elections to the legislative assembly as the environment is now conducive, considering the ceasefire at LoC and the smooth conduct of DDC polls.

(d) Fourth is that the Centre should assist the return of Kashmiri Pandits to the valley, who have been in exile for over 30 years now.

(e) The fifth Congress demand is that political prisoners detained in the aftermath of abrogation of Article 370 should be released.

4. PM Modi said he wanted to end 'Dilli ki duri' as well as 'Dil ki duri' with J&K which has been witnessing prolonged spell of militancy and unrest.

5. Karnataka High Court granted interim relief to Twitter India's Managing Director Manish Maheshwari, directed Ghaziabad Police not to take any coercive steps against him till June 29. Twitter India's Head Manish Maheshwari, who was summoned by the Ghaziabad Police in connection with a probe related to the assault of an elderly Muslim man there recently, did not appear before them as the Karnataka high court restrained police from initiating coercive action against him.

6. The Ghaziabad Police on June 15 booked, Twitter Communications India, news website The Wire, journalists Mohammed Zubair and Rana Ayyub, besides Congress leaders Salman Nizami, Maskoor Usmani, Shama Mohamed and writer Saba Naqvi. They were booked over the circulation of a fake video in which the elderly man, Abdul Shamad Saifi, claims he was allegedly thrashed by some young men who also asked him to chant 'Jai Shri Ram' on June 5. The police said the video was shared to cause communal unrest and to create disturbance.

7. The Govt of India, Govt of Mizoram & the World Bank have signed a USD 32 million Mizoram Health Systems Strengthening Project to improve management capacity and quality of health services in Mizoram. The project will strengthen the governance & the management structure of the Department of Health + Family Welfare and its subsidiaries.

8. Pratham Pooja of Shri Amarnathji Shrine was performed on 24 June by Shri Nitishwar Kumar, Chief Executive Officer, he said that since the Yatra this year has been cancelled due to the current COVID-19 pandemic situation, the Shrine Board however is committed to carry out all religious rituals as per past practice.

9. The weather forecast says, the National Capital Delhi is likely to have thunderstorms with rain. The temperature will hover between 29 and 37 degree Celsius.

10. *What Is The Delta Plus Variant?* The Delta variant of COVID-19 or the B1.617.2 highly transmissible variant of concern (VOC). Later, the highly transmissible variant of Sars-CoV-2 mutated further into Delta Plus of AY.1 lineage. The new strain Delta Plus contains a K417N mutation in its spike protein, which has been formally designated B.1.617.2.1

11. Andhra Pradesh Inter, SSC exams 2021 cancelled, results to be based on internal assessment. The decision will impact nearly 15 lakh students who registered for AP Board Exams.

12. The Delhi Police has arrested 4 college students from Kargil in connection with a low-intensity blast that took place near the Israel embassy on January 29 no injuries were reported.

13. Education Minister Ramesh Pokhriyal Nishank will be virtually interacting with students at 4 pm on Friday on evaluation of CBSE board examinations.

. Now readers can use below links to get daily news directly.

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ravi1805 · 5 years ago

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Lokesh Holidays #Tour operator in Chennai # Srilanka Explore Sri Lanka - Duration 7 Days and 6 nights - Habarana, Sigiriya, Kandy, Nuwaraeliya, Ella, Yala, Galle, Hikkaduwa, Bentota What's Included? • Airfare To & Fro • Airport pick up | Drop • Airport paging • Hotels with breakfast • Fuel for sightseeings • Transport by air conditioned luxury vehicle. • Expressway toll charges Duration 7 days Destination Covered Habarana, Sigiriya, Kandy, Nuwara Eliya, Ella, Tissamaharama, Galle, Hikkaduwa National Park and Bentota Best Suited All, Budget, Families, Groups, Honeymoon, Kids, Luxury, Solo traveler CT - 044-42183338, 9444022628, 9940221849 https://www.instagram.com/p/B4ebWaCg-pe/?igshid=tyh0tibsra5f

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csnews · 7 years ago

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How much conscience should a traveller possess?

Manu Joseph - Sep. 4, 2017

It was wrong, it was good. For the first time in my life, I saw a whale, and I was so close it looked like special effects in a Telugu film. Our handlers said it was a blue whale, which everybody else on the catamaran wanted to believe. Later, the whale lifted its tail and dove. By now, we knew this gesture as the blue whale’s goodbye. We had seen six whales, or maybe it was the same beast emerging here and there, playing some complex cetacean prank.

We were in the open ocean off the coast of Mirissa in southern Sri Lanka, on the perennial route of the great whales. There were several boats on the whale safari and they resembled overcrowded buses. Their navigators appeared to be friends, or at least, were linked by radio, and when they got wind of a whale sighting, they all rushed to the spot. Often, the boats circled the whale, their loud motors running. Passengers yelled, and gathered to one side of the decks to look at the whales, causing the boats to list. Some boats chased the whales until they refused to surface.

As we were in the care of the high-end resort, Cape Weligama, there were just about a dozen of us on the catamaran. Also, our guides were better trained. They never chased the whales, or tried to get too close, and they turned off the motors when a whale surfaced. Yet there can be no doubt that all of us on the catamaran were as guilty as the hundreds in other boats. We were patrons of a harmful industry. We did disturb and disorient the giants. Academics believe that the rise of the Sri Lankan whale-watching industry has forced the mammals to shorten the time they spend on the surface, resulting in a reduced inhalation of air. Also, the whales have begun to change their routes, resulting in collisions with big ocean liners.

So what must conscientious travellers do? Should they deny themselves the extraordinary experience of watching whales so close to their home? Should it be the privilege of the wealthy alone who can go to the West for a more ethical form of whale watching? And who knows, if we ever consult the whales, they may say those European tour operators are as disruptive as the Sri Lankans. Should we not watch whales from a boat at all? How much conscience must a traveller really possess?

Some boats chased the whales until they refused to surface.

It would be simple if the humane fellowship can get the activity banned altogether. Righteousness achieves its ends best when it operates with the force of fundamentalism. But few organisations have the clout to ban popular commercial activities, and those that do are more practical than righteous.

So, it’s unlikely that whale safaris will be banned in the near future. The conscientious, therefore, could consider boycotting the activity, but that would only do more harm to the whales, because if an industry is going to function without the support of the informed and the ethical, then it is at risk of becoming more callous. The whale tourism industry of Sri Lanka might be opportunistic, but it is also under immense pressure to follow correct procedures because of a section of responsible tourists who make such demands. Also, the entertainment of wildlife tourism, however flawed, is the most powerful way to recruit new generations into caring for nature. When children see whales at such close quarters, they become lovers of the beasts for life, and it is then easier to impart what is not as much fun—how to save the whales from humans.

Sri Lanka itself is disputed territory for the conscientious traveller. After the extermination of the Tamil rebels in 2009, as the details of the brutal military action in Jaffna against civilians and rebels alike came to light, the Sri Lankan government, under Mahinda Rajapaksa, faced the condemnation of the global cultural elite. Writers, including Nobel laureate Orhan Pamuk, who were to attend the Galle Literary Festival, found excuses not to.

If you are morally outraged about something, get closer to it.

I had seen a documentary that showed how Rajapaksa had ended the civil war in his country. The film contained graphic images that the Tamils had captured on their phones in their final moments. They were massacred, and there was evidence that many faced much worse than massacre. I was raised in Chennai and Sri Lankan Tamils were a part of my childhood. I knew exactly what they were saying when they were begging the soldiers to spare them, and their children. I could not visit Sri Lanka after that.

I was surprised by my decision because I’ve always considered self-righteousness a disease that writers must never contract. It converts a complex person into a simpleton who’d pass facile judgments on a community in whose welfare he or she has no stake. In any case, Rajapaksa was unaffected by all the criticism. In fact, he became very popular in his small kingdom, and when he eventually fell, it was despite his violent triumph in the civil war.

In time, the world forgot its anger. And when the government changed, people found an excuse to visit the nation again. Including me. I have come to feel that if we are disturbed by the government of a beautiful region, or an activity there, we do a great service to justice by visiting, rather than boycotting, it. Having a sustained connection to a region, and continuing to help it thrive, is an emotional stake that is more valuable than a self-righteous boycott. Maybe it’s a good idea for the conscientious traveller to acquire such a habit—if you are morally outraged about something, get closer to it.

#whale watching #whales #dolphins #cetaceans #news #wild

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cetacean-content · 7 years ago

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How much conscience should a traveller possess?

If you are morally outraged about something, get closer to it

Manu Joseph

SEPTEMBER 4, 2017

Some boats chased the whales until they refused to surface.

So, it’s unlikely that whale safaris will be banned in the near future. The conscientious, therefore, could consider boycotting the activity, but that would only do more harm to the whales, because if an industry is going to function without the support of the informed and the ethical, then it is at risk of becoming more callous. The whale tourism industry of Sri Lanka might be opportunistic, but it is also under immense pressure to follow correct procedures because of section of responsible tourists who make such demands. Also, the entertainment of wildlife tourism, however flawed, is the most powerful way to recruit new generations into caring for nature. When children see whales at such close quarters, they become lovers of the beasts for life, and it is then easier to impart what is not as much fun—how to save the whales from humans.

If you are morally outraged about something, get closer to it.

#whale watching #boat based whale watching

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yatrikatour · 4 months ago

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Embark Sri lanka Tour Packages With Yatrika Tours.

Embark on a captivating journey to Sri Lanka with Yatrika Tours’ specially curated Sri Lanka Tour Packages from Chennai. Known for its stunning landscapes, rich cultural heritage, and warm hospitality. Whether you're looking for a cultural immersion, a nature escape, or a relaxing beach holiday, our packages provide the perfect blend of adventure and relaxation. With Yatrika Tours, a leading Sri Lanka Tour Operator in Chennai, your dream vacation is just a click away.For more information please contact 8148410666 or Visit the Website:

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inpeaks · 6 years ago

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Sri Lanka is an amazing holiday destination – pristine beaches, beautiful forests, amazing cuisine and the list could go on. So, if you’re planning a trip to the pearl of the orient, you are indeed in for a treat. However, you’ll have to make one very important decision; should you plan the trip yourself or book a Sri Lanka Tour package instead? Well, we vote tour packages and we will give you 5 good reasons it is a better idea than a self-planned trip. Hopefully, this will help you make the right choice when planning your vacation.

1). No need to figure out the flights.

Airfares to this island nation can be quite high. In a bid to avoid paying so much, many travellers first make their way to Chennai as Chennai to Colombo flights are generally more affordable. However, this can become a logistics nightmare – something you don’t have to endure when you book yourself a Sri Lanka tour package. These packages usually include flights and since the tour operator will have tie-ups with certain airlines, they are able to get better savings – the benefits of which are passed on to you in the form of budget-friendly tour packages.

2). The accommodation conundrum.

After flights, the next most time-consuming process of a self-planned trip is finding the right places to stay. You need to first hotels that fit your budget. Then you need to look at reviews and rating. The hotels you choose should also be centrally & conveniently located. If you’ve never travelled to Sri Lanka before, it will be difficult to make confident decisions. However, when you book a Sri Lanka tour package, the hotels will be included.

3). Tricky transfers are taken care of.

Once you land in Sri Lanka, you need to make it to the hotel. Once you’ve freshened up, you need to make your way to all the attractions and activities you have planned. You could do so by taking taxis or booking some sort of conveyance. However, there is always a chance you will get cheated or made to pay more than what you have to, the worst part is that you might do so unknowingly.

However, you have peace of mind from this aspect if you opt to book a Sri Lanka tour package. This is because these packages come with internal transfer booked, you just need to be at the pick-up points at the right time and there’ll be someone waiting for you.

4).Visas.

Besides the tour packages, travel companies will also offer Sri Lanka visa services. If you book the tour package, they should offer their visa services at a discounted price, especially if you’re travelling with family or friends. They will help you fill the form correctly and ensure you submit your application properly to ensure maximum chances of approval. This is a very helpful service as visa formalities can be quite confusing, especially if you’re travelling for the first time.

There are numerous other reasons why Sri Lanka tour packages are a better idea than creating your own itinerary. We hope this helps you choose between the two options confidently and ensures you have a smooth & enjoyable experience in Sri Lanka.

PS: The author is associated with Akbar Travels.

The post Why Sri Lanka tour packages have an edge over a self-planned vacays! appeared first on Digital Ideas.

via Digital Ideas

#IFTTT #Digital Ideas

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hudsonespie · 7 years ago

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Dubai Remains On Track To Receive 1 Million Cruise Line Passengers By 2020

In a keynote address to cruise line executives and regional industry stakeholders at the opening session of Seatrade Middle East Cruise Forum, Issam Kazim, CEO, Dubai Corporation of Tourism and Commerce Marketing (DCTCM) confirmed that Dubai remains on track to receive one million cruise passengers by 2020.

Addressing delegates, he also referenced DCTCM’s plan to ensure that cruise passengers felt the ‘soul’ of Dubai and there would be an extra concentration on excursions that show the heritage of the city and its older parts…as well as the more modern areas and attractions.

Representation Image – Credits: Sudhai Hazell

Next to the stage was Esam Ahmed, Commercial Manager, Mina Rashid & Mina Hamriyah, DP World, who highlighted the growth plans for Mina Rashid cruise port which includes the allocation of additional berths to handle up to 7 mega ships (up from the current 6) and the development of a new terminal to meet market demand by 2020.

The first day’s Summit Session ‘managing growth, planning for the future’ saw senior government officials and tourism stakeholders then discuss their own growth plans for their destinations.

Delegates heard that Abu Dhabi welcomed a record 315,000 cruise visitors in 2017 – nearly 40,000 more than the previous year. Saeed Al Dhaheri, Cruise Sector and City Tour Development Manager, Department of Culture & Tourism (DCT) Abu Dhabi, said: “A recent survey commissioned for cruise passengers showed an overall satisfaction score of 96% – an overall 32% increase since 2015 – with consistently high scores across different aspects of their experience during their trip to the capital.”

Oman’s Mohammed Zahran Al Mahruqi, Program Director, ASYAD spoke of the infrastructural port growth plans, while Bahrain’s Yousef AlKhan, Director of Marketing & Tourism Promotion, Bahrain Tourism & Exhibitions Authority (BTEA) told delegates of the 45% increase in cruise passengers in the 2016-2017 season to 76,185.

Dubai’s Hamad Mohammed Bin Shaik Mejren, Senior Vice President, Stakeholders Department, Department of Tourism and Commerce Marketing (Dubai Tourism) reiterated the city’s aim to reach the 1m cruise passenger ambition.

For the first time, a delegation from India were amongst delegates and also represented on stage by Dr Suman Billa, Joint Secretary (Tourism), Ministry of Tourism, Government of India and Shri Yashodhan A Wanage, Deputy Chairman, Mumbai Port Trust. Both gave a rallying cry of the ‘dawn of cruise tourism in India’ and asked stakeholders to work together to help the growth of cruise tourism to the main ports of Mumbai; Goa; Mangalore; Chennai and Cochin – all of which have been identified by the Government of India for cruise development – and also the potential of interporting with Sri Lanka and the Maldives.

Shaji Thomas, Director Destination Tourism Development, Ras Al Khaimah Tourism Development Authority told delegates that RAK Port is upgrading its existing passenger terminal to accommodate boutique cruise vessels – which currently account for 11% of cruising capacity in the region. He also spoke of energetic growth plans for the UAE emirate; a new cruise terminal opening in February 2018 and announced that the world’s longest and highest zip line – surpassing the previous record holder in Puerto Rico – due to open soon.

Also taking part on the opening morning were cruise line executives, Tine Oelmann, Director, Port Operations, Shore Excursions & Ground Operations, TUI Cruises GmbH and Steven Young, Director, Port Services & Government Affairs, P&O Cruises & Cunard, Carnival UK.

Both long time supporters of the Seatrade Middle East Cruise Forum and how it has become an essential regional platform for discussion and debate, Steven took the opportunity to announce “that P&O Cruises inaugural fly-cruise will start for 2019” and was the result of discussions over several years with regional stakeholders at this event.

17 cruise line executives from 14 of the world’s leading cruise lines are attending the annual Seatrade Middle East Cruise Forum taking place at Lapita; located within Dubai Parks and Resorts, Dubai, UAE from 12-13 December 2017.

Cruise lines represented include: AIDA Cruises; Carnival UK; Crystal Cruises; Cunard; Cruise & Maritime Voyages; Marella Cruises, TUI Group; MSC Cruises; P&O Cruises; Pullmantur Cruceros; Royal Caribbean Cruise Ltd; TUI Cruises GmbH; Star Clippers; Windstar Cruises; Virgin Voyages.

“Cruise tourism within the Arabian Gulf has experienced explosive growth over the past five years,” said Chris Hayman, Chairman, Seatrade UBM EMEA. “As deployment continues to boom, destinations across the region have already made major investments in cruise terminal facilities to accommodate an expanding fleet of ships, which are increasing in capacity from season to season.”

The conference programme on Day Two will put a spotlight on a number of key discussion points, including extending seasonality; opportunities for niche cruising; port and destination development; the link with India; the Suez Canal and Red Sea; shore excursion offerings; supporting the needs of the crew and exploiting the potential for inbound Chinese tourism.

Seatrade Middle East Cruise Forum has become a fixture on the regional cruise event calendar and been held for the past consecutive years in Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Oman and Qatar and previously in Bahrain. The event’s return to Dubai reflects the regional significance for the future of cruising in the Arabian Gulf.

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