Chevy Volt tops Prius in fuel economy rating

DETROIT (Reuters) – General Motors Co said last week its Chevy Volt plug-in hybrid will carry an overall fuel economy rating of 60 miles per gallon, topping the Toyota Prius, the industry’s long-time fuel economy leader.

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Cathay Pacific adds Honolulu to JAL Codeshare

Cathay Pacific has confirmed that Honolulu, the capital city of Hawaii, will be added to its codeshare co-operation with oneworld alliance member, Japan Airlines.

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UAE has 244 new hotels in pipeline creating 120,000 jobs

With 244 hotels, containing 55,000 hotel rooms in the pipeline, the UAE will create 120,000 new jobs by 2011, providing hotel management and recruitment specialists with a challenge, said the organisers of an upcoming major hospitality show in Dubai.

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Taj toasts travel trade

Taj Hotels Sri Lanka comprising three properties – Taj Samudra, Colombo, Vivanta by Taj, Bentota and Taj Airport Garden, Seeduwa last week threw a huge bash for all their friends from the travel trade at Mojo’s. “Raise a glass” was the theme with the entire Taj team raising a glass to the travel agents for their unstinted support.Pix by Upul Abayasekara

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‘Sri Lanka emerging as a tourism hotspot’ for Middle East

Arab travellers to Sri Lanka increased by 58% in the first 10 months of the year according to Sri Lanka Tourism Promotion Bureau’s (SLTPB) Middle East office. Statistics compiled by Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority indicate that the growth from the Middle East is higher than the overall growth in arrivals to Sri Lanka which is pegged at 43.5%.

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Jet Airways to Codeshare with Alitalia

India’s Jet Airways is to launch daily non-stop flights from Milano Malpensa to New Delhi from 5 December 2010 in codeshare with Alitalia. Milan will be the twenty-fourth international destination on Jet Airways’ network.

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China approves first gold fund as demand rises

SHANGHAI  (Reuters) – China approved the country’s first mutual fund that bets on gold prices, as inflation fears fuel demand for the precious metal.

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Commercial Bank bags top honours at National Business Excellence Awards

The Commercial Bank of Ceylon Plc forcefully reaffirmed its status as one of Sri Lanka’s leading corporate entities when it won four top accolades including the overall award at the 2010 National Business Excellence Awards presented last week by the National Chamber of Commerce of Sri Lanka.

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ODEL unveils new-look online store

Shoppers who prefer not to let their feet do the walking can now enjoy even more fun, and extra personalised, convenient and secure online shopping from the comfort of their homes or offices with the recent revamping of the official ODEL website.

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New English test for UK visas

The UK High Commission said that a new English language requirement will be introduced on Monday 29 November 2010 for non- European migrants who, from this date, apply for a visa to enter or remain in the UK as a partner or spouse of a British citizen or person settled there.

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