Business
Airport travel made easy: ‘Get your Uber Ride at a dedicated spot at BIA’
Uber today announced the launch of a dedicated pick-up spot for riders at the Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA) in Colombo. Travelers arriving in Sri Lanka can now easily find their Uber ride at this designated area and make travel-related stress and guesswork a thing of the past. This is an industry-first for Sri Lanka.
At the Uber pick-up spot located at the Arrival Terminal in BIA, travelers will now have access to kiosks for pertinent information about hailing an Uber. Drivers will also benefit from designated parking spaces and cashless transactions. With improved amenities for driver partners and clear wayfinding signage for travelers to the Uber pick-up spot, this airport partnership will raise the bar for airport travel and benefit riders and drivers alike. BIA will earn LKR 700 and applicable VAT from every pick-up that Uber gets at the airport, adding to a revenue stream from app-based aggregators.
Globally, Uber has changed the airport experience for the better by bringing convenience and affordability. The company has partnerships with over 600 international airports and has a dedicated airport team that works closely with the local airport authorities to bring best-in-class experience and safety for customers every time they choose Uber. The partnership with the BIA will further promote Sri Lanka as a tourist destination to a wide audience of travelers and enable them to use their familiar Uber app to travel from the airport seamlessly.
Shiva Shailendran, Director Operations, Uber India & South Asia, said, “We are always working towards bringing the best of Uber to Sri Lanka. The addition of a dedicated pick-up spot at the Colombo airport will help provide a reliable, recognizable, and seamless mode of transportation from the airport to the city and contribute to Sri Lanka becoming a world-class tourist destination. In addition to our strong rider base in Sri Lanka, travelers from over 70 countries are familiar with Uber, and have it as their preferred choice when traveling abroad. We hope that international travelers as well as returning Sri Lankans, will benefit from the pick-up point and get a world-class experience every time they ride with us.”
Travelers can choose from a wide range of Uber offerings at the airport and get top-rated drivers with high-quality vehicles. Depending on their need, number of people and luggage they’re carrying, they can choose between Zip, Premier, or XL from the app. They also have the option to book multi-stop, multi-hour rides with Uber Rentals.
Now, Uber has added Uber Vans for a larger group of people from the airport. Affordable and easy to locate, this latest offering will make group travels easier. Every Uber Van can accommodate upto 10 individuals along with luggage and can be an ideal choice for long trips and groups traveling together. Available on the Uber app, riders will get vehicles such as Toyota Hiace, Caravan, among others at the tap of a button.
In line with Uber’s commitment to transparency, travelers will continue to benefit from upfront fares at the time of booking and now receive booking assistance at the kiosks if required. The estimated fare shown upfront will have airport parking fee and toll fee included, reducing friction between riders and drivers and enabling seamless travel. Travelers will be able to see the fare-break up and benefit from Uber’s 24/7 safety support.
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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