SHOW REPORT UNITE INDIAN OCEAN, AFRICA, MIDDLE EAST Sri Lanka moves to end bed crisis Sri Lanka’s Jetwing Sea – formerly


Selling Long Haul was a major sponsor of the Unite Indian Ocean, Africa and Middle East workshops, held in the Mermaid Conference Centre in London’s Blackfriars on March 7. Alan Orbell reports


Go Dutch in SA Visitors to Franschhoek, South Africa,


can now stay on a Cape Dutch farm that dates back some 300 years. A working farm, Babylonstoren opened last December with 12 gabled and thatched-roof suites that ‘echo early Cape Dutch farm buildings’. Facilities include a swimming pool,


boats, walking trails, garden tours and cycles. At Babel restaurant the chefs use more than 300 fruits, vegetables and herbs from Babylonstoren’s extensive gardens and the farm is also now starting to make its own wine. Rates are from R2,490 for two guests sharing a one-bedroom suite. This includes breakfast, personal bars in the suites, guided walks, cycling around the farm and canoeing on the farm dams. Babylonstoren is represented in the UK by Marketing Worldwide. www.marketing-worldwide


known as Jetwing Seashells – has re-opened on the island’s western seaboard of Negombo, close to the international airport in Colombo. With a minimalist style and described as


having ‘warm, delightful interiors and naturally sunlit exteriors’, the new hotel features 83 ‘gracefully furnished’ rooms and two luxury suites on the top floor with panoramic views of the ocean. Speciality restaurant ‘Lellama’ has contemporary casual dining and there is also a walk-in wine cellar, two swimming pools, a gym and a rooftop spa. Following the return to peace in Sri


Lanka in May 2009, UK visitation to the Indian Ocean island soared last year by 29.3%, up to 105,496. This number looks set to increase


further with new daily Sri Lankan Airlines’ flights from Gatwick; the destination is also served by 13 weekly services out of Heathrow.


The Sri Lanka Tourism Promotion


Bureau’s UK director, Sanjika Perera, is looking forward to an exciting 2011. “It’s ‘Visit Sri Lanka Year’ with a full calendar of activities scheduled throughout the year,” he said “The biggest challenge we face at


present is increasing the bed bank and infrastructure in the country to meet the


Mauritius hotel options expand The number of UK visitors fell slightly


in January but Mauritius still recorded an overall 10.9% increase in arrivals that will help it achieve its 980,000 target for 2011. The island is set to benefit from a significant increase in bedstock, with several new properties planned for this year. Due to open in the spring, Sun Resorts’ Long Beach will add 255 rooms on Mauritius’ east coast. Blending open-air and indoor living, every room will have a view of the ocean and a minimum 109m² of its own beach space. The modernised Trou aux Biches Resort & Spa will also be fully operational by late April. It will offer 333 keys in bungalows of three and four suites


IN BRIEF


Footsteps in Africa A dozen independent lodges in


Botswana are operating a joint sales and marketing programme under the ‘Footsteps in Africa’ umbrella. As part of the lodges’ environmental credentials, no brochures are produced. Full details can be found at www. footsteps-in-africa.com or www. marketing-worldwide.co.uk


10% commission on Mauritian villas Villa rental specialist Villas De


Maitre, which pays 10% commission to agents, is opening the first luxury apartments for rental on Mauritius’ west coast in September. Leora Beachfront Apartments will offer sea views and private access to the sea. Nearby are golf courses, shops and restaurants. www.villasdemaitre.com


Brides stay free at Makanyane Makanyane Safari Lodge in


Madikwe Private Game Reserve, South Africa, has a honeymoon package which gives brides a free stay. The offer at the malaria-free reserve is valid for all honeymoon bookings made before April 30 for stays up to August 31, 2011. Madikwe is a four-hour drive from Jo’burg. www.makanyane.com


and private villas. On the southwestern side of the island, next to Le Morne Beach, The St Regis Resort should open in December with 74 rooms and suites. Crystal Beach Resort & Spa, a four-


star hotel located in Palmar is due to open in October. The hotel will offer 180 superior rooms and suites for couples and families. Other developments include the Angsana Balaclava, a 50-suite boutique hotel on the beach of Baie-aux-Turtles and the 60-room Les Salines in Port Louis. Attitude Resorts has taken over the management of Le Récif Hotel at Pointe aux Piments and acquired Le Tropical Hotel, at Trou d’Eau Douce. www.mauritius.net


increased demand. Global chains like Shangri-La, Six Senses, Ananthara and Mövenpick have already made investments in all parts of the island, including Colombo. A second international airport, at Maththala, in Hambanthota in the south, is scheduled to open in 2012. www.srilanka.travel


Seychelles’ boost The Coco de Mer Hotel on Praslin,


Seychelles – a popular hotel for Brits – is closing from June 6 until July 19 for major improvements. The neighbouring Black Parrot Suites will remain open throughout and the work at the Coco de Mer will not be visible from there, said Ash Behari, the hotel’s director. New features include a spa – under the


Black Parrot’s pool – a bar, reception, lounge, pool terrace and restaurant. When the hotel re-opens it will hold


its current rates, promised Behari. www.cocodemer.com


Stay in De Hoop


The De Hoop Collection, a muliti- accommodation facility located in a conservation area three hours’ from Cape Town, is now being marketed in the UK. Spreading over 36,000 hectares and with


more than 70km of pristine coastline, accommodation at the World Heritage- listed site includes campsite rondavels, self- catering cottages and the five-star Opstal and Melkkamer Manor Houses. Activities include whale-watching and game drives. www.dehoopcollection.co.za


www.sellinglonghaul.com • April 2011 15


BMI PUBLISHING/STEVE HARTIDGE


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