JEDDAH: SriLankan recently marked a significant milestone in the country’s aviation history when Captain Anusha Siriratne was appointed as the carrier’s first lady captain. “Sri Lanka has been in the forefront of women’s empowerment and it is certainly high time that a Sri Lankan woman took command of an airliner,” Manoj Gunawardena, the airline’s CEO, said. Interestingly, Capt. Anusha and her husband Capt. Hemantha Siriratne also made history as the first husband-wife pilot duo in the country. Capt. Hemantha received his captain’s appointment earlier this year.
Ramadan at Le Meridien Al Khobar
ALKHOBAR: Le Meridien Hotel Al Khobar is celebrating Ramadan like previous years with an array of traditional Arabic dishes. They include delicacies including mezzeh, lamb okra, mixed grill, soups, and desserts. Chef Jobst Wolfgang says he along with his skilled team has prepared a special menu to match the needs for the holy month, including select dishes for iftar and suhur. Every guest visiting the hotel has a chance to win prizes including airline tickets and electronic goods. The season’s grand prize of a car awaits the guests.
Courtyard by Marriott hotels expands
JEDDAH: Marriott International is planning to open three properties in France. They include 150-room Courtyard by Marriott St. Denis Pleyel, in suburban Paris, which is scheduled to open in 2009, 170-room Courtyard by Marriott Arcueil in suburban Paris and planned to open in 2010, and 210-room Courtyard by Marriott Marseille Euromed Center, slated for opening in 2011. When opened, these three properties will join two existing Courtyard by Marriott-branded hotels in Paris and a third one that is planned to open in 2009 at Toulouse-Blagnac International Airport in France.
Nepal becomes popular with ME tourists
KATMANDU: Nepal, the world’s high altitude playground for the adventurous, is quickly growing in popularity among travelers from the Middle East because of the convenience of short, nonstop flights, the city’s rich cultural offerings and availability of world-class hotels. Unique features of this new tourism hotspot add to the interest of discerning travelers from the region. Situated in a bowl-shaped valley within central Nepal, Katmandu is described as a steep incline, descending from the icy Himalayas to the hot Terai flatland. “Travelers from the region are opting for shorter, more convenient weekend trips that offer all the qualities of a perfect holiday: Culture, adventure, excitement, and relaxation within luxury accommodation,” said Thierry Bertin, vice president sales and marketing, Hyatt Hotels, Southwest Asia.
Air Arabia expands to Tehran and Shiraz
SHARJAH: Air Arabia, described as the first and largest low-cost carrier in the Middle East and North Africa, recently opened its first fully dedicated sales facility in Tehran. The Sharjah-based carrier, which has provided direct flights to Iran since 2006, currently offers seven flights per week to Iran, including three flights per week to Tehran and four to Shiraz. By providing nonstop services to Tehran, the capital of Iran, and Shiraz, the country’s technology and tourism hub, Air Arabia serves as a vital transportation link between the two countries, promoting increased tourism and trade between the Gulf and Iran.
