Business
Restructuring agreement with the IMF will garner for SL considerable international support’
By Hiran H. Senewiratne
Once the bailout agreement with the IMF is implemented, Sri Lanka will win considerable international confidence. This will help in containing our economic crisis, besides enabling the country to achieve a stable dollar parity rate. There will likely be an appreciation in the value of the rupee against the dollar, Minister of Tourism and Lands Harin Fernando said.
“During the last few months we had four road shows in India to promote Sri Lankan tourism and they had a super response. However, due to negative reports in some sections of the Indian media we did not reap maximum benefits from these road shows, Fernando told a media event, where the Dentsu Grant Group together with the Sri Lanka Association of Inbound Tour Operators (SLAITO) and The Hotels Association of Sri Lanka (THASL) launched an integrated campaign – ‘And you thought you knew Sri Lanka’, to promote Sri Lankan tourism. The event was held at Hotel Ramada on Wednesday.
‘The campaign is a pro bono project by Dentsu Grant Group Sri Lanka and Dentsu India, to support the revival of the triple crisis-hit local tourism industry. It was executed following comprehensive research to lure young Indian professionals in the age group 31 – 36 from Bangalore, informed sources said.
‘With Sri Lanka having all the ingredients to be a short-haul adventure destination, the promotion aims to feature lesser-known attractions that will offer brand-new experiences to young Indian professionals who are looking for fun and inspiring getaways with authentic experiences, these sources added.
Speaking at the event Indian High Commissioner Gopal Baglay said the time has now come to explore greater cooperation for two-way tourism with sizable ties and bonds.
“India has been very supportive of Sri Lanka and the first to help. This support has not been limited to just one sector or industry, but to the people of Sri Lanka. I think India and Sri Lanka are civilizational twins. This factor has made Indians feel comfortable travelling to Sri Lanka, H.C. Baglay added.
The High Commissioner suggested that Sri Lanka explores the possibilities of expanding religious tourism between the two countries as it would further expand the two-way tourism in another layer that will boost arrivals, income and cultural values.
Minister Harin Fernando commended the proactive efforts taken by the private sector to reinvigorate the industry and extended his special thanks to India for their support.
“India has always been our number one tourist-generating market but at present it is number two behind Russia. Our efforts are to make India the number one source market again, he said.
Fernando also appreciated the efforts of those airlines that increased their seating capacities to Sri Lanka, thereby boosting the tourist numbers from December to date.SLAITO president Nishad Fernando expressed confidence in the product offerings through the campaign for younger Indian professionals.
“India is a key market for Sri Lanka. We believe the renewed efforts to attract the tech-savvy, new generation of Indians will be a win-win initiative for all stakeholders, thereby supporting the economic revival of the country, he added.
THASL president M. Shantikumar expects the initiative to help Sri Lanka in reviving the tourism industry and exceeding past figures by the end of this year, with a great start in 2023.
“With the new attractions and activities altogether, we have curated offerings to cater to all segments looking at great travel options in Sri Lanka. Given the great connectivity between India and Sri Lanka, it is an ideal market to explore, he pointed out.
Dentsu Grant Group chairperson Neela Marikkar said they wanted to have a new story to tell the younger audience about the amazing aspects of Sri Lanka they would not know about.
“We are delighted to support SLAITO and THASL to bring in a greater influx of Indian tourists. As a top MarCom agency, we conceptualized a campaign which we feel will strike a chord with the young Indian audience, hoping it would inspire them to visit beautiful Sri Lanka, she explained.
Marikkar also said following the feedback of the campaign in Bangalore, they plan to launch similar campaigns targeting Delhi and Mumbai in the next phase of the campaign.A website www.andyouthoughtyouknewsrilanka.com featuring locations was also launched by the dignitaries. The website gives a synopsis of what to expect in Sri Lanka. These include; underwater shipwrecks in Pasikuda, Nil diya pokuna in Ella, Kabaragala mountain hike in Sabaragamuwa Province, white water rafting in Kitulgala and water sports in Kalpitiya.
The Delegation of German Industry and Commerce in Sri Lanka (AHK Sri Lanka) proudly facilitated the first-ever Sri Lankan delegation’s participation at Drupa 2024, the world’s largest trade fair for the printing industry and technology. Held after an eight-year hiatus, Drupa 2024 was a landmark event, marking significant advancements and opportunities in the global printing industry.
AHK Sri Lanka played a pivotal role in organising and supporting the delegation, which comprised 17 members from the Sri Lanka Association for Printers (SLAP), representing eight companies from the commercial, newspaper, stationery printing, and packaging industries. This pioneering effort by AHK Sri Lanka not only showcased the diverse capabilities of Sri Lanka’s printing sector but also facilitated vital bilateral discussions with key stakeholders from the German printing industry.
Business
Unveiling Ayugiri: Browns Hotels & Resorts sets the stage for a new era in luxury Ayurveda Wellness
In a captivating reimagining of luxury wellness tourism, Browns Hotels & Resorts proudly unveiled the exquisite Ayugiri Ayurveda Wellness Resort Sigiriya. This momentous occasion, celebrated amidst a vibrant and serene grand opening on the 6th of June, heralds a new chapter in the Ayurveda wellness tourism landscape in Sri Lanka. Nestled amidst 54 acres of unspoiled natural splendour, Ayugiri features 22 exclusive suites and stands out as the only luxury Ayurveda wellness resort in the country offering plunge pools in every room, rendering it truly one-of-a-kind.
The grand opening of Ayugiri Ayurveda Wellness Resort was an enchanting event, where guests were captivated by the melodies of flutists and violinists resonating through Sigiriya’s lush landscapes. As traditional drummers and dancers infused the air with vibrant energy, Browns Hotels & Resorts’ CEO, Eksath Wijeratne, Kotaro Katsuki, Acting Ambassador for the Embassy of Japan and General Manager, Buwaneka Bandara, unveiled the resort’s new logo, marking a significant moment witnessed by distinguished guests from the French Embassy, Ayurveda and wellness enthusiasts along with officials from the Sigiriya area, LOLC Holdings and Browns Group.
“Our strategic expansion into wellness tourism with Ayugiri Ayurveda Wellness Resort Sigiriya symbolises a significant milestone for Browns Hotels & Resorts. Wellness tourism has consistently outperformed the overall tourism industry for over a decade, reflecting a growing global interest in travel that goes beyond leisure to offer rejuvenation and holistic well-being. By integrating the timeless wisdom of Ayurveda with modern luxury, we aim to set a new standard in luxury wellness tourism in Sri Lanka. Whether your goal is prevention, healing, or a deeper connection to inner harmony, Ayugiri offers a sanctuary for holistic well-being” stated Eksath Wijeratne.
Ayugiri encapsulates the essence of life, inspired by the lotus flower held by the graceful queens of the infamous Sigiriya frescoes. Just as the lotus emerges from the murky depths, untainted and serene,
Ayugiri invites guests on a journey of purity and rejuvenation, harmonised with a balance of mind, body and spirit, the essence of nature, echoes of culture and the wisdom of ancient Ayurvedic healing.
HNB General Insurance, one of Sri Lanka’s leading general insurance providers, has been honored as the Best General Bancassurance Provider in Sri Lanka 2024 by the prestigious Global Banking and Finance Review – UK.
The esteemed accolade underscores HNB General Insurance’s unwavering commitment to excellence and its outstanding performance in the field of bancassurance. Through dedication and hard work, the HNB General Insurance team has continuously endeavored to deliver innovative insurance solutions, cultivate strong relationships with banking partners, and provide unparalleled service to customers nationwide. This recognition is a testament to the team’s dedication and relentless pursuit of excellence in the bancassurance business.
“We are honored to receive this prestigious award, which reflects our team’s tireless efforts and dedication to delivering value-added insurance solutions and exceptional service through our bancassurance partnerships,” said Sithumina Jayasundara, CEO of HNB General Insurance. “This recognition reaffirms our position as a trusted insurance provider in Sri Lanka and motivates us to continue striving for excellence in serving our customers and communities.”
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