Business
More tourist traffic predicted from SL to Singapore with the onset of economic stability
By Hiran H.Senewiratne
Sri Lanka’s economy will become more stable in the future and that would enable more Sri Lankans to visit Singapore, which has plenty of things to offer Sri Lankan tourists, Regional Director, Singapore Tourism Board for India, Middle East and South Asia G.B. Srithar said.
“We are here to re-engage with Sri Lankan travelers and warmly welcome them back to Singapore by increasing the number of flights to Singapore. The City State is fully open and welcomes visitors from all over the world, Srithar told a media forum held recently in Colombo organized by Singapore Airlines’ General Sales Agent in Sri Lanka, Aitken Spence Aviation.
Srithar stressed that Sri Lanka is an important market for Singapore tourism given the strong connections the relevant peoples have made, culturally, economically and politically for many decades. Singapore is one of two countries to offer Sri Lankans 30-day visas on arrival, the other country being the Maldives.
Srithar, who last visited Sri Lanka in 2017, revealed that Singapore saw the highest tourist arrivals from Sri Lanka, numbering 114,000 in 2018 before declining to around 99,000 in 2019. A lifting of Covid-linked restrictions in 2022, saw a pick-up in travel to Singapore with 36,000 visitors from Sri Lanka.
“We are confident of numbers increasing in 2023. The average length of stay has seen a welcome increase to 7.2 days from 4.4 days in 2019. This means Sri Lankans are staying longer and enjoying the Singapore experience. We want more Sri Lankans to come and do the same, Srithar said, pointing to Sri Lanka too experiencing improved stability after its economic crisis of last year.
“Airfares may likely come down with the increase in flights to Sri Lanka. The Boeing B787-10s Dreamliner flights are fitted with 337 seats across two classes (36 lie-flat seats in Business Class on 1-2-1 seating configuration and 301 seats in Economy Class on 3-3-3 seating configuration). Compared to the previously operated Airbus A350, the Boeing B787-10 brings 34 more seats, he added.
Speaking of new attractions, Srithar said Singapore now has a Museum of Ice Cream, while on May 8, a brand new Bird Paradise will be opened within Mandai wildlife reserve in Singapore, which also has a zoo, Bird Park and a Night Safari. He also revealed that for the first time Singapore will have a Disney Cruise available year-round for five years from 2025.
Previously Singapore Airlines had been operating an Airbus A350 and from recently it deployed the 337-seat Boeing B787-10 Dreamliner, which increased seat capacity by 11 per cent in addition to extra cargo space, sources said.
Singapore Airlines General Manager, Sri Lanka, Zac Liew said that the airline will increase frequency from the current 4 times a week to daily from October, given the rebound in air travel between Colombo and Singapore.
“The daily frequency would mean SIA’s capacity is reverting to almost pre-COVID levels. It used to operate 9 flights per week. SIA expresses the hope that it could further expand capacity as well in tandem with demand, he said.
“Sri Lanka is one of our important markets and we have been in operation for 53 years with Aitken Spence as our General Sales Agent. We are glad to expand our services in Sri Lanka and thereby support the revival in tourism, Zac said.
As part of this renewed push in Sri Lanka, Singapore Tourism Board along with SIA met with over 70 travel agents in Sri Lanka. It was Singapore Tourism Board’s first engagement with the travel industry in post-COVID times.
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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