The Pulse

Volume 2 Issue 2 Leisure Inbound- Employee Newsletter February 2014

Welcoming the New Year 2014

Inside this issue
Development of Eco Tourism 2
The Other Side The Market Say 3 4

New Faces at Inbound

Winners of Puzzle 3 Guess Who

5
6 7

Promoting Sri Lanka - Building Partnerships

The Human Resources team of Walkers Tours in partnership with AEISEC Sri Lanka welcomed 13 interns from different parts of the world to Explore Sri Lanka. Interns from China, Germany, Brazil, Pakistan, Russia, Kazakhstan, Bahrain, Taiwan and Vietnam were hosted by Walkers Tours for a knowledge sharing session.

This session was graced by the senior management of Walkers Tours in order to impart their knowledge about the history and future tourism of Sri Lanka. Towards the end of the discussion few interns expressed their interest in partnering with Walkers Tours as brand ambassadors for Sri Lanka. The objective of their visit is to explore the mystical paths of the country and to capture the beauty and grace of our mother nation via blogs, pictures and videos. The following social media tools are used by these interns to show case their work of art which promotes and creates awareness of Sri Lanka globally. Face book: https://www.facebook.com/exploresrilankacn Google plus: https://plus.google.com/104566404729932997841 Pinterest: http://www.pinterest.com/exploresl/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/explore_sl vk.com: http://vk.com/public66687888 Walkers Tours was the proud sponsor of transport for one of their trips and also gave the interns the opportunity to visit one of our very own sites, Tamarind Gardens and to experience how to Live like a Local.

Whittalls Travels in Partnership with KUONI and IUCN Initiates development of eco-tourism
The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), in partnership with Kuoni, organized a training workshop for the conservation community in Sri Lanka, to build business skills and share experiences for successful ecotourism development. IUCN is an international organization dedicated to finding "pragmatic solutions to our most pressing environment and development challenges". Many local Conservation Organizations attended this workshop which provided the participants with a strong foundation in business skills that will enable them to design and run successful ecotourism businesses. Whittall Boustead (Travel) Limited provided facilitators who presented key elements for success and highlighted practical steps for implementation. The Training was broken down into different themes, and the sessions were conducted by the following professionals; Market context Upali Ratnayake- Director SLTDA, Hiran Cooray Chairman Jetwing Group Ecotourism potential Srilal Miththapala Director Ceylon Chamber of Commerce Business and financial planning Susith Jayawickrama Deputy MD, Aitken Spense/ Jayantissa Kehelpannala EVP JKH Sustainable Operations Chitral Jayatilake Head of Nature Trails, AVP JKH Health and Safety Shirley Fisher Customer experience and Health and Safety Manager, Kuoni UK Human Resources Sunil Dissanayake Head of HR Hayleys Group / Director GM, Kingsbury Hotel Marketing and Sales and Customer care Srilal Miththapala - Director Ceylon Chamber of Commerce With the conclusion of the workshop, the participants were asked to send in presentations of their Proposals and Business Plans. Discussions were held with shortlisted participants where feedback on their presentations was shared. Assisting these organizations and integrating them into our business in the near future is the ultimate goal of this programme.

The Other Side

Shivanthi having quit the army in 1993 joined Walkers Tours. She was offered employment in both Walkers Tours and Aitkin Spence but decided on the former because she fell in love with the beautiful Glennie Street Building. After joining Walkers tours, she was sponsored by John Keells Holdings and she continued to excel in sports. Shivanthi credits her success to her routine of practicing two hours each, before and after work every single day. She says If you think you can achieve something, you need to put your foot down and work hard. She also believes If you want something badly, you have to focus and do the Right thing. Married to her childhood sweetheart a love story which started back in their school days, Shivanthi and Saman are proud parents of Nipun. As she proudly says her Pride and Joy Nipun, is following her footsteps and is a member of the Royal College Squash Team. Now done and dusted with all sports, shivanthi loves spending quiet time with her beloved family during the weekends. Message to our readers Try to be honest and you will face fewer problems. Life is short, try to be friendly after all.

Mostly

known

as

the

fierce

competitor in all racket sports Shivanthi is no stranger. The editorial team met up with her to dig deep into the secrets to her success story. Shivanthi, an old girl of Anula Vidiyalaya, Nugegoda, was an outstanding personality in school who excelled in both studies and sports. Since a very young age she showed great enthusiasm towards sports. She has received national colors for Tennis and was the Games Captain of her School. She also played Netball but Badminton was her forte. She was the all island inter-school champion in Badminton in all age categories from under 11 under 18. After having completed her Advanced Level Examinations in the bio stream, she joined the army, for Badminton. The turnaround in her life came five months later, when she decided to switch to squash. While playing in an open squash tournament she crushed Sri Lankas number 5 ranked Squ ash player. This is when she realized she had the talent in her to be champion one day. She was immediately fast tracked into the National Pool and soon after that the National Squad. In 1990 she represented Sri Lanka in the 6st Asian squash championship in India and went on to participate in many other International tournaments.

Shivanthi accomplished her lifelong dream in 1994, when she became Sri Lankas National Squash Champion. However, this accomplishment didnt satisfy the hunger inside her, but instead made it grow and she retained her place at the top of the ladder the next year as well. Shivanthis passion for squash continued over the next few years and her leadership qualities were brought to life when she was named captain of the National Squash team in 1995. Shivanthi continued to excel in sports and became the Womens Veterans Doubles runner up at the 59th National Badminton Championships in 2011. Shivanthi has been a National Squash Selector for the past five years. and is also a coach for level 1 & level 2 Asian Squash Federation. She was an Executive committee member and also the vice president of the Sri Lanka Squash Federation.

The Market Say

For this issue of The Pulse we spoke to members of the Web Sales, Russia and Far East teams of Walkers Tours and the Whittalls team to inquire about Nanduni, Vasula, Chantelle and Praveen. This is what their teammates had to say:

Vasula Wimalaweera Nanduni Rajapaksha Chantelle Ferdinands

Fondly known as: Nandu

Fondly known as: Vasu

Fondly known as: Chanty, The Chuuty Mostly heard saying : Can I have your tour plan Cartoon character that describes her : Velma (Scooby Doo) Always has the correct answer Song title that describes her : Dont you worry child Greatest Quality: Helpful anda great team player Message from the market: All the best and success

Mostly heard saying : Dont be mean men or most often heard sneezing Cartoon character that describes her : Bubblles Powerpuff girls
Song title that describes her : Ms. Independent Greatest Quality: Very Patient Message from the market: Youre such a bog! But we love you!

Mostly heard saying : Thats Gooood Cartoon character that describes him : Daffy Duck
Song title that describes him : Man Down Greatest Quality: AGood kind hearted friend Message from the market: We Love you!

Praveen Goonesekera

Mn
Fondly known as: Praveeeen/ Accident Ward

Mostly heard saying : Mama Amaru Wade Keruwa onna umba lesi wade karapan / Malli

arrival eke check karamuda

Cartoon character that describes him : Obilix (His massive Bulge)
Song title that describes him : Dennam ko Lokka Greatest Quality: 24/7 emergency service, he is there when the company needs him Message from the market: Athuwath bari, nathuwath bari

New faces of Inbound

Ryan Perera

Friendly Faces, Good Exposure, All in all a Great place to work at

Rangani Vithanage

"A place like home and the best place to be employed on earth"

Saminda Balasuriya

I have enjoyed the month that I have spent at whittalls and Im sure it will only get better.
Jonathan Taylor

Its a great pleasure to work with Walkers Tours; its more than a working place.

Sheneli Jayasuriya

Its an honor to be among the leaders of the Leisure Industry and also privileged to work in such a positive working environment.

Gavin Loose

A great working environment.

Ranuka Kariyawasam

I hope starting to work here would lay a good foundation to my career ahead.

Abdul Qadir

Work deeper with passion and not hard with agony.

Answers to Inbound Puzzle No. 4

Across
1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. 11. 12. 13. Speaks five languages Captain of Soccer/Athletics & Vice Captain of Swimming team in school Obtained fur As for A/Ls Liu Melfort Estate Biker ------------12th October Ambalangoda Thamasari Parent of Shaveen Peterite Wing Three-Quarter

m e v a n t h a M i c a e l a

a c

n h

h a s h i n i

i m e s h a h i

T n e u n

y r r a

r a y n h

d a D i l i n i

e o

s r e h a n h

n s e a n

h a r i n

r i k k a

a a s

Down
1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. 11. Shakespeare Married to Janaka ACMA -------Artist ------Choro Benedicte Fan of country Music Was a teacher 14 3315 Rugby Fanatic

d n u

i s

a m a l i

Winners of the Crossword Puzzle No. 04 1. 2. 3. 4. Arinda / Tarusha Jayamali Poornima / Nanduni Andre / Ahamed / Asitha / Gayanga CONGRATULATIONS!!!

Guess Who Puzzle No. 01

Match the face with the clues mentioned. First five correct entries would be adjudged the winners. Hand over the completed form to HR before the 7th of March 2014.

1). University of Western Sydney

2). Creative Artist

3). Jennifer Lawrence 4). Defense of the ages 5). Pianist 6). Play Station 7). Oman 8). 12th of March 9). Kamanee

10). Sri Lanka Schools Basketball team 2007

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