Ebert Silva Holidays VVIP coaches for CHOGM and high-end tourism market

Wednesday, 13 November 2013 00:00 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

Super luxury coaches introduced by Ebert Silva Holidays for the transportation of VVIPs during the CHOGM will be a unique addition to Sri Lanka’s travel and tourism industry catering to the exclusive high-end tourism market soon after the event. Specially designed and fashioned for this prestigious event the coaches offer exclusive features and comforts that comply with international standards.

Being a founding member of the Commonwealth of Nations and this being the biggest international event to be held in Sri Lanka since after the NAM, CHOGM undoubtedly is an important event for the country. “This event will also showcase Sri Lanka to the world as a nation with immense promise and potential of being a foremost tourist destination in Asia. In such a backdrop we are happy and proud to have been able to introduce this exclusive fleet for the first time in Sri Lanka with an approximate investment of Rs. 20 million on each coach. “This feat has been possible because of the fullest cooperation extended by Lanka Ashok Leyland CEO Umesh Gautam and his committed staff who have worked passionately to challenging schedules to make this dream a reality. “Being a pioneering and premier company in the industry it is also a privilege to have been able to make a significant contribution of this nature to Sri Lanka’s travel and tourism arena once again, at this momentous juncture,” said Ebert Silva Holidays Chairperson Rajini de Silva Mendis. Ultimate luxury The VIP coach the ‘Monarch’ is designed with a sitting area, a conference area, a luxurious bedroom and a washroom and a generator to power all internal functions of the coach when stationary. The ‘Phoenix’, the ‘Legacy’ and the ‘Aurora’ are sleek low deck coaches with shiny black exteriors offering modern and sophisticated interiors of superior comfort for 14-20 VVIP guests. With leather upholstered luxury sofas, foldable tables, mini bars and resting areas, all coaches are also equipped with WIFI and intercom facilities, LCD TVs and special seating compartments for security personnel. These Lanka Ashok Leyland (LAL) coaches comprise of modern mechanical features such as intercooler turbo engines, air suspension systems, ABS brakes systems and also the unique ability of lowering the coach deck height by four inches, ensuring maximum convenience in embarking and disembarking.

The coaches have had their interiors completely designed and finished at the LAL state-of the art factory in Homagama, which has about four acres of workshops and factory area under one roof with a work force of nearly 500 personnel. Tourism boom Post CHOGM these coaches will exclusively cater to the niche tourist market which has shown positive figures with tourist arrivals rising by 26.2% in September this year compared to the same period last year and arrivals having recorded a 14.3 % increase in the first eight months of this year with 711,446 tourists arriving to the island. Statistics also show more tourists expected this year from Western Europe than South Asia which is yet another positive and certain indication of more high-end visitor with better spending power arriving at our shores. With signs of great promise in Sri Lanka’s tourism industry and the apparent increase in the high end tourist segment Ebert Silva Holidays will utilise this exclusive fleet of VIP coaches to cater the niche market of high end tourism. The company will also add more custom made coaches to the industry defining new criterion of what Sri Lanka has to offer to high end tourist markets.