Travel Trends in EuropeTravel to Europe is increasing steadily at around 30%. This is a good sign and we hope it will continue to rise. Britain is in a sort of turmoil with Brexit and the election of Boris Johnson to the realm, But tourism is still trending and that is an encouraging sign that all is not doom and gloom. From a demographic view among travellers Gen Z tops the list with an increase of 55 % in Spain, followed by the Netherlands with a whopping 95% increase by millennials. Gen X travellers loved Switzerland and Germany while Greece showed a 40% increase by baby boomers. Overall spending has decreased due to the rising costs in Europe although Greece has seen a 50% increase in spending by baby boomers. Breaking news Sri Lanka.Hurray! the government of Sri Lanka has decided to issue free visas for travellers, starting from August 2019 - January 2020. This is a very encouraging step and one set in the right direction. Ever since the suicide bombings in April this year, revenue from tourism dropped to zilch.
The recent bombings has had a very serious toll on tourism in Sri Lanka. Many workers in the hospitality industry lost their jobs as a result of the bombings. We encourage travellers to return to Sri Lanka and support the industry. Leisure World Tours has this all inclusive 12 day Sri Lanka holiday for you or email reg@leisuretravelsrilanka.com
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Brawl on P&O cruise shipBrawl on P&O cruise ship. Leisure World News This could happen anywhere. But on a cruise ship you are stuck with the perpetrators until you get to disembark at the nearest port or carry on regardless. This is the downside of happy cruising. Apparently media fake news put the blame on a clown that caused a fight to break out where furniture and plates were used as weapons of destruction and another story relates to the brawl being caused by a passenger dressed up as a clown. What a way to enjoy a good time on a cruise ship. I thought a clown makes people laugh and be as merry as a clown. Unfortunately not on this cruise ship though. These are isolated incidents probably fuelled by excess consumption of alcohol. Try a holiday in Sri Lanka instead. Second international airportBALI TO GET SECOND INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT Apparently the Bali governor, Wayan Koster mentioned during a speech in Denpasar Arts Centre that Bali would be getting a second international airport. They hope to relieve pressure from the influx of tourists arriving currently.
Another reason is to encourage an even distribution of tourist hot spots to areas in the North that don’t get many tourists visiting. It is hoped that tourists will move away from Seminyak and Kuta. It is to been seen that this airport will meet the needs of foreign holidaymakers. About 370 hectares of land at the Kubutambahan village and Sani Village will stand to gain from this transition. As a result, the new airport is envisaged to take about 70 percent of low cost flights from Australia normally operated by Jetstar, Air Asia and Lion Air. Visit Sri Lanka Ella Sri LankaLocals and tourists fall in love with this small mountain town in the central highlands of Sri Lanka. You can get to this interesting hideout by train, bus, hire car or by requesting your travel agent to arrange a tour covering this beautiful back packers town. What you can do in EllaFor starters there are lots of interesting hiking trails. Little Adam's peak and Ella Gap are the most common trails. The trek to Horton planes and world's end is mesmerising. The scenic train ride from Nuwara Eliya to Ella is the most interesting train journey you should not miss. Treks are best done in the early mornings and you can trek by yourself. You really don't need a guide. As there are quite a few fellow travellers you will pal up with while you hike. There are around 350 0r more waterfalls in Sri Lanka. In Ella you can visit Ravana Water falls, Bomburu Ella waterfalls, Bambaragama, Diyaluma and Dumhinda waterfalls. If you are a nature lover and one that likes hikes then visiting as many waterfalls in Nuwara Eliya and Matale districts will attract your attention. Nine Arch Bridge EllaThe nine arch bridge known commonly as the bridge in the sky is a reminder of colonial era construction. Many tourists and locals flock to this place to admire the beauty and surroundings. A good picturesque location. For tours and tailor made itineraries you can always rely on Leisure Travel Sri Lanka. We can put together an itinerary to suit your budget. Mail to: reg@leisuretravelsrilanka.com
or CALL +61 421 705 852 Breaking NewsMarriot is said to be releasing a new loyalty program called Bonvoy which is soon to replace the existing loyalty program. It is envisaged members will have more benefits with this new look launch. Customers wishing to book into the Marriot Sri Lanka can start taking advantage of this new benefit by signing up for membership.
Leisure Travel Sri Lanka will be will include in their itineraries a couple of days stay at the Marriot Beach Resort in Sri Lanka. Email your inquiry to reg@leisuretravelsrilanka.com Visit to Kala Oya has become a "Must" for us since our first visit there last year. I have been saying this place teaches me what "Destitute" is. Unless one visits and sees it for themselves no words can aptly convey what tough conditions under which the residents survive here. It is a very well run facility but sadly it lacks regular "Supplies." We do our bit but there has to be something else that needs to be done to help the facility. Elderly people going without meals regularly is not nice. Those who are reading this piece please think about it. I am open to suggestions. It takes a mere $70 Australian to provide all meals and two teas daily for nearly twenty five people. It is also in Kala Oya there is a little paradise hidden away about fifteen minutes of extremely slow drive from the main Puttalam - Anuradhapura Road. This place is surrounded by paddy fields on one side and a lovely secluded lake on the other. This "Cabana" is perched atop the banks of the lake which gives views, sights and sounds money cannot buy. The property is owned by Auril's best friend Scolestical's sister and family. Two nights here was just superb. The "Facilities" that add to the charm of this place: water tank on top of a mango tree that stands above the cabana, generator-run power supply which is available from about 6.30 pm to when it runs out of petrol, showers at the well, dip in the lake in which crocodile and human beings live in harmony, eating the catch of the day from the lake, eating mangoes just fallen off the tree, waking up listening to the sounds of lapping water below your feet, the chirping birds, sounds of peacocks, jumping fish, wonderful breeze off the lake....oh where do I stop?! Our half day safari through Wilpathu National Park was great for one particular reason - leopards. We did not see any in Yala last year and this time in Wilpathu we spotted two of these spotted big cats! And both of them gave good sightings. I could photograph the second one and did not bother about the first because I simply wanted to "Take it all in" seeing a leopard in the wild for the first time. Wilpathu should really be done over a whole day as it is bigger than Yala and the vegetation is magnificent. We need to revisit this place. And then we got to Jaffna and I have written plenty below most of the photos in my FB pages. Point Pedro, Causarina Beach, Thurkai Amman Temple in Tellipalai, Keerimalai, Nallur are some of the places we covered. Things happen because they are meant to happen as they did today. Our plan today was to visit Thurkai Amman Temple and keep moving and yet we ended up having a lovely lunch at the temple. We visited the temple as we planned and were invited to join them later for lunch. Still we were not sure but we moved on to visit my ancestral home and then Keerimalai. After Keerimalai we resolved to go back to the temple and join them for lunch. What a good decision it was. Nallur Temple |
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April 2024
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