Business
Greater acceptance of digital payments will encourage more tourists to visit Sri Lanka – Sandeep Ghosh – Group Country Manager – India & South Asia – Visa
Tourism in Sri Lanka has the potential to grow with greater acceptance of digital payments and cards, says Sandeep Ghosh Group Country Manager for India and South Asia – Visa. This is increasingly relevant in a post-Covid world where travelers increasingly look for various choices of travel such as wellness and sustainability.
Ghosh noted that the modern travelers look for experiential travel, not just tourist hotspots, seeking genuine connections with local communities – data shows that 71% of consumers are seeking to connect with real people in everything they do in 2022 as opposed to pre-Covid figures of 66% in 2019.
The Sustainable Travel Report of 2022 shows that 66% of people surveyed wanted ‘authentic’ experiences that give insight into local culture and customs, away from exaggerated tourist attractions. 51% of travelers were found to consider low or zero carbon emissions as a key facet of sustainable travel while also expecting accessibility to seamless payment wherever they travel.
Spiritual and wellness travel and prioritizing mental health has also become popular for travelers as an option.
” The figures from local media shows that during the last three months, tourists visiting Sri Lanka have crossed the 100, 000 mark. There is potential for Sri Lanka to increase the volume to that of pre-covid and grow the numbers. In the post pandemic world, there are many more nuances to choose from than previously ; there was luxury and budget tourism. Now there is eco-tourist/sustainable, there is health and wellness tourism, we have a lot of data on how people travel as tourists – where do they spend? what do they spend? What are changes in consumer spending patterns, behaviors and preferences when it comes to their tourism options. Sharing these insights with the relevant stakeholders will help Sri Lanka market itself in a more structured way to the world. “, Ghosh points out.
“One of the specific benefits of digital payments and cards as a form of internet banking is bringing more into the formal ecosystem. Increase in transparency and trust while eliminating leakages is vital as societies migrate from cash based to digital.” Ghosh adds,” Going digital also adds points to the GDP of the country and brings more and more into formal economy than informal. “
“Visa would like to play a critical and proactive role in helping the transition from cash to digital happen in Sri Lanka – we believe in supporting that by encouraging greater acceptance of digital payments through working with our banking partners as well as partners and alliances and to increase the penetration of cards into the market. “
“Visa works with banks to increase the acceptance of cards in the market – data shows that a large number of students from the developed world visit – they are used to paying with cards than cash because it’s a lot safer, transparent and card payments can be monitored for those who use cards in other parts of the world. We believe that working with banks to increase acceptance of cards across all tourist related segments would encourage more tourists to visit Sri Lanka.”
” Being able to pay by card even for services provided by small and medium scale tourism service providers or for transport within the country, would be critical for growth of tourism in the country. Establishing the right infrastructure and protocols that are required for seamless card payments and transit systems has to be looked at – today, the preferred mode of payment is contactless payment – tourists like this a lot and it establishes a high level of trust.”
Ghosh adds that these travel insights and adapting global practices around changing patterns, can enable targeting the right kind of tourists with the right kind of value propositions. It also can capture good feedback on user experiences.
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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