Business
New niche tourism strategy set to boost tourism, bolster economic recovery– USAID head
“The new sustainable niche tourism strategy will be a catalyst to help further boost Sri Lanka’s tourism sector and bolster the country’s economic recovery”, said Gabriel Grau, USAID Mission Director to Sri Lanka and Maldives, at a special event to launch the new strategy.
The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) and Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority (SLTDA) recently launched a new strategy to reenergize the critical tourism sector by promoting a dozen new sustainable niche tourism categories. From adventure tourism and cultural experiences to hosted/curated experiences and wellness and healing, these categories are set to enhance Sri Lanka’s tourism offerings and attract more global travelers.
Tourism is critical to Sri Lanka’s economy as it exits the pandemic and deals with its internal economic crisis. Pre-pandemic tourism represented 12 percent of the country’s GDP, generating US $4.3 billion in revenue in 2018. Already popular as a tourism destination for its natural beauty and cultural heritage, Sri Lanka will benefit from the new strategy by offering differentiated experiences for travellers seeking an immersive holiday.
Sri Lanka arrivals rose 30 percent in the first quarter over the same period a year ago, however, the segment is highly competitive. Successful implementation of the new strategy will allow Sri Lanka to better establish its brand identity, increase its appeal and market share, create jobs and opportunities across the tourism sector, and generate much-needed foreign exchange. The launch of this strategy is a strong step forward in USAID’s Indo-Pacific Opportunity Project (IPOP), and it will further support SLTDA to bring niche tourism businesses into the formal sector and help define outreach efforts going forward.
“The increase in tourist arrivals this year in Sri Lanka is noteworthy,” said Gabriel Grau, USAID Mission Director to Sri Lanka and Maldives at a special launch event held on Friday 9th June at The Barnhouse in Panadura. MD Grau added, “It shows that Sri Lanka is again ready to realize its full potential as a global tourist destination, following years of downturn due to COVID and the economic crisis. The new sustainable niche tourism strategy will be a catalyst to help further boost these numbers and help Sri Lanka’s tourism sector get back on track and bolster the country’s economic recovery. I am particularly pleased that USAID is engaged in this important sector and that we are supporting Sri Lanka’s return to economic stability. With the United States having worked side-by-side with Sri Lanka for 75 years, this is what a strong partnership looks like.”
“Today is a special day for Sri Lankan tourism as we launch a new sustainable niche tourism strategy in Sri Lanka. It marks a new paradigm for positioning Sri Lanka’s tourism offering to highlight, support, and promote these niche products, which will help Sri Lanka fully exploit its potential to be a high-yielding, experience-driven destination. We thank USAID and the IPOP team for their encouragement and steadfast support,” said Upali Rathnayake, Deputy Director General of SLTDA.
USAID launched the tourism activity under IPOP in July 2022 to support economic reforms and promote foreign direct investment in Sri Lanka. The two-year project is assisting SLTDA to streamline and implement new policies and procedures to enable fast-tracking and attraction of foreign direct investment in the tourism sector.
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.”
US sports envoys to Lanka to champion youth development
Rahuman questions sudden cancellation of leave of CEB employees
