Ceylon Travel Bureau launched at GFH

By Cheranka Mendis

The Galle Face Hotel Management Company yesterday opened a reservation centre at the hotel, aiming to create a ‘one-stop-shop’ for both domestic and foreign travellers.

The unique move will be the first-ever in a local hotel and would initially commence with the facilitation of reservations for Ceylon Hotels Corporation (CHC) properties.

Being the travel arm of CHC, the Ceylon Travel Bureau is located in the lobby of the Regency Wing of the hotel and will undertake islandwide tours as requested by clients. The bureau is one of the oldest travel agencies in the country and has been established in 1967.

“At one time Ceylon Travel Bureau was one of the most sought-after travel agencies in the country and even undertook air travel. With time the fleet dwindled, but we hope to bring back the old glory in time to come,” Senior Vice President – Leisure Division of GFH Management Company Chandra Mohotti said at the launch.

The company was bought over by the Galle Face Hotel Management Company at the height of war through the stock exchange. He stated that Group Chairman Sanjeev Gardiner had placed great trust in the investment and that he was confident that things would begin to take a drastic change for the better in no time.

Mohotti stated that the reservation centre would cater to hotel guests as well as domestic travellers. With some 107 rooms occupied on a daily basis, GFH would be the ideal location to start off a reservation centre.

“It will predominately be for domestic travellers. We have noticed that most are paying heavy concentration on foreign travellers and we are confident that this move will receive positive response from the community.”

Initially the centre will arrange tours and make reservations in the 20 lodging institutions the company operates in the country. Their hotels, motels, rest houses and resorts are located in all parts of the island, including Bentota, Weligama, Tissamaharama, Belihuloya, Ella, Hanwella, Kithulgala, Pussellawa, Ambepussa, Kandy, Dambulla, Sigiriya, Habarana, Seruwa, Polonnaruwa, Mihintale and Medawachchiya.

Pix by Upul Abayasekara