Business
Aitken Spence Travels welcomes travellers from Kazakhstan
Aitken Spence Travels, the leading destination management company (DMC) in Sri Lanka working in partnership with TUI Kazakhstan, welcomed its first flight for the winter season from Kazakhstan on Wednesday, 1st December 2021. Air Astana the flag carrier of Kazakhstan, will be operating 3 flights per week every Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday and has a capacity of 160 passengers. The flights will continue until April 2022. All travellers booked through Aitken Spence Travels are fully vaccinated travellers, travelling for the purpose of leisure holidays.
Accommodation has been booked mainly in 4 to 5 star hotels, with several selected luxury hotel properties also being purchased. Aitken Spence Travels has secured bookings for over 30 properties so far, and the number is likely to increase to 50 by the peak of the season. The clients have booked excursions to the cultural triangle, Pinnawala elephant orphanage, Yala and Whale watching.
Commenting on this flight operation from Kazakhstan Nalin Jayasundera, Managing Director of Aitken Spence Travels said “On the 17th of November in Almaty, Kazakhstan a workshop was held which was followed by a grand launch ceremony promoting Destination Sri Lanka. The event was patronised by over 250 travel agents and dignitaries in the tourism industry who were privy to the Destination Sri Lanka presentation. We are currently in discussion with the authorities to increase the number of flights per week by the end of December enabling more tourists to visit Sri Lanka”.
“Our long-standing relationship with TUI, the largest integrated tourism management company in the world has provided a plethora of opportunities for the tourism industry in Sri Lanka by positioning Sri Lanka as a destination in their network”, further commented Mr. Jayasundera.
Once again, tour operators and DMCs have aided the tourism industry’s recovery by intervening to secure flights to Sri Lanka. Working relentlessly to present a favourable image of Destination Sri Lanka in the eyes of travel agents and potential markets interested in visiting Sri Lanka.
Aitken Spence Travels, as a leading tour operator, is delivering a steady stream of tourists to Sri Lanka at a critical juncture in the country’s and tourism industry’s efforts to promote the destination as a safe holiday destination. All required precautions are taken to ensure that all health and safety protocols are followed, assuring the safety of the guides, chauffeurs, and guests throughout the tours.
This airline operation is a step in the road to recovery of the tourism industry. We are hopeful that the numerous stakeholders, such as accommodation providers, guides, excursion providers, chauffeurs, etc. will gain and contribute to the country’s economic recovery.
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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