Business
India is a massive opportunity for us: SriLankan Airlines CEO
‘Whether we privatize or not, we will make a difference’
SriLankan Airlines’ CEO, Richard Nuttall has told The Hindu recently that India is a massive opportunity for Sri Lanka’s travel and tourism market.
“We are the nearest international beach destination to India. India is the biggest source of tourists for Sri Lanka at the moment, but the reality is, the number is peanuts. We get 20% more tourists from India, which has 1.4 billion people and is next door than we do from the UK that is 11 hours flying time away. We should be getting 10 times that amount,: he has said.
The second thing about India is that it is the most populous country in the world. The economy is growing fast and in broad number terms, India has half a commercial aircraft per million people. China has three; even in Sri Lanka, we have one, and the U.S. has 30. Now, the fact that we have more in Sri Lanka than India and we have no domestic market – tells you how big the opportunity in India is.”
“When you look at India, the big hubs in India are Mumbai and Delhi, West and North. And you have all of those huge cities that maybe have LCC (low-cost carrier) feed to near destinations, but don’t have long haul feed.
Now, if you want to fly from Chennai to Australia and there’s no direct flight, do you want to fly back to Mumbai? Or do you want to go to Colombo or maybe somewhere else? The point is that we are perfectly positioned for all of those cities. We already fly to nine cities in India and we’ll add more. And the other advantage we have is that because of cultural similarities, Sri Lankan crew tends to be much better at providing service to Indians than maybe other nationalities.”
” We have a strong presence in southern India. I think the most obvious next destination is Ahmedabad. It’s a big market, and an underserved market and a relatively wealthy market. So that’s probably the next big one. But there are other cities that we’ve flown before and other places that if we can expand the narrow-body fleet.
We were the first international airline to do 100 flights a week to India. Now we’re back at about 60-70 because we don’t have aircraft. But we should be back within five years. I would love to be at 200 if we could get the aircraft in to provide the connectivity. One can’t be too precise on years because it’s going to depend on how fast you can get aircraft and whether we privatize or not will make a difference. That’s the goal,” he has said.
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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