Business
Sri Lanka Tourism launches membership drive for informal sector supported by Australia’s MDF
• 100% online registration process
• Registration in the accommodation sector increased by 48% since 2020
• Provisional registration launched with relaxed documentation requirements
• Registration fees reduced to Rs.2200 and Rs.1100 from Rs.8000 – Rs.58,000
Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority (SLTDA), with the support from Market Development Facility (MDF), Australia’s flagship private sector development program, has launched a membership drive to encourage informal sector tourism operators to register with SLTDA. The membership drive was launched recently with a trilingual video series featuring celebrated cricket legend Kumar Sangakkara.
“Tourism is led by the SME’s and hit hard by the pandemic which accounts for over 55% of the tourism industry. The key objective of this initiative is to motivate informal businesses to register with us and I invite informal sector establishments to register – we stand ready to help,” said Kimarli Fernando, Chairperson of Sri Lanka Tourism.
“I would also like to extend my sincere gratitude to Kumar Sangakkara for helping us to initiate this and Market Development Facility (MDF) for assisting us,” she added.
SLTDA welcomes all informal tourism businesses, regardless of size, ranging from tourist hotels, guest houses, homestays, bungalows, travel agencies, tourist-friendly eating places, restaurants, and spa and wellness centres to register via the provisional registration process. By registering, businesses also showcase their commitment to promoting Sri Lanka as a safe travel destination, building confidence among tourists to choose Sri Lanka and their business.
“Australia is proud to support SLTDA to provide long-term support to the informal tourism business sector to ensure a strong, inclusive and sustainable recovery from COVID-19,” said David Holly, Australian High commissioner to Sri Lanka.
Australia’s engagement in the initiative is part of its broader support to the Sri Lankan tourism industry through MDF. MDF is funded by the Australian Government and implemented by Palladium, in partnership with Swisscontact. Australia is also supporting SLTDA with a five-year research roadmap to upgrade SLTDA’s research and data capabilities. This is expected to enable better evidence-based decision making, offering greater value to the private and public sectors.
The trilingual video series also features a step-by-step guide to registering upon completing the provisional registration process online, along with testimonials from informal sector businesses that have benefitted from registering with SLTDA. Interested businesses are invited to register with SLTDA by typing ‘Register’ and sending a text message to +94 71 544 0000 or visiting www.sltda.gov.lk
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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