Business
Heritance Aarah celebrates local culture with a curated Maldivian Village experience
All-inclusive luxury resort Heritance Aarah, in the Maldives recently launched a unique village experience to celebrate the illustrious culture and heritage of the island nation, right in the heart of the breathtaking Raa Atoll. This is the first of its kind in the Maldives.
Heritance Aarah, part of the Sri Lankan hospitality company, Aitken Spence Hotels, is the first ‘Heritance’ branded resort overseas, the flagship brand of the company. With five other resorts already established in the Maldives under the prestigious ‘Adaaran Resorts’ brand name, ‘Heritance’ is a well-established brand in Sri Lanka and has been acclaimed globally for its unique propositions and adding local flavor to its design, offering and service.
With Heritance Aarah opening its doors in 2019 in the Maldives, Aitken Spence Hotels embarked on curating a unique hospitality product in the archipelago that goes beyond just another holiday. Embracing the ‘Heritance’ brand promise of ‘where tradition is alive’ the Company successfully fostered an immersive lifestyle experience built on the colours, traditions and locality that is unique to the Maldives – presenting an inimitable resort experience for its discerning guests.
Always looking at expanding in a sustainable tourism model, the resort’s latest introduction the Maldives Village is an ode to the rich and vibrant history of the Maldives.
“We are delighted to launch the village concept at Heritance Aarah as it celebrates locality, an interesting and interactive for guests to understand and learn about the Maldivian culture. This is yet another way of how we keep tradition alive, this being our Heritance brand promise,” commented Ms. Stasshani Jayawardena, Aitken Spence PLC Director, Head of Tourism and Leisure, and Chairperson of Aitken Spence Hotel Managements (Pvt) Limited.
Built within the Heritance Aarah resort, the Village seeks to create awareness and educate guests from around the world, of the incredible past and its varied influence in modern Maldives lifestyle. The Village experience comprise of a typical Maldivian household, an outdoor school area, ‘joali’ traditional furniture, key industry representation such as boat building and coral stone carpentry. The Village will also feature the local handicraft industries – such as local jewelry making, coir industry, mat weaving, embroidery and lacquer work. Interactive sessions include experiencing local lifestyle such as making food in an open kitchen and learning to write your name in Dhivehi which are added new and exciting activities for guests. The Village also comprises of a picture gallery showcasing momentous photographs from the past.
The Village tour is presented by the hotel’s very own who is well versed in Maldivian history, local architecture and local business. The entire experience is designed to rediscover the heritage of Maldives, a country with more sea than land – all its men, rovers of the sea; all women, daughters of the waves.
Welcoming the new addition to its plethora of offerings, Heritance Aarah promotes immersive indulgence with its superlative dine around which includes seven restaurants and five bars, Maldives first Medi Spa, an interactive Kids Club and a host of over and underwater activities. The resort enjoys a rich underwater experience built on pristine waters and promotes sustainability in its design and operations. Heritance Aarah is also the first LEED certified building in the Maldives, reiterating the resort and the Company’s commitment to sustainable tourism.
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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