Business
Aitken Spence Hotels invests heavily in hospitality training to aid industry
Premier hospitality company Aitken Spence Hotels together with TUI Care Foundation inaugurated its first batch of students for the year 2023 as part of its Aitken Spence Institute of Hotel Management training provided for deserving youth from across the island.
The first batch for the year included 50 students selected from over 200 applicants for a craft level course in restaurant and bar services. The students will undergo a mix model of learning from a theoretical approach conducted by trained lecturers and professional hoteliers to practical knowledge gained by working at Aitken Spence Hotels’ reputed properties located island wide in key tourist hotspots. 25 of the students will engage in learning at the Aitken Spence Institute of Hotel Management in Ahungalla and the others at Aitken Spence Institute of Hotel Management Dambulla.
Speaking at the inauguration, Aitken Spence PLC Director, Head of Tourism and Leisure, and Chairperson of Aitken Spence Hotels Management Stasshani Jayawardena said that the importance of investing to mould young hoteliers in Sri Lanka can hardly be overstated. “Despite our recent troubles, Sri Lanka has been identified as a potential tourist hotspot in Asia. The many investments coming into the country in the way of new hotel chains opening or building their dream hotels around the island can attest to that. Our greatest challenge at present is the lack of skilled professionals within the industry; and this is where we come in.”
“The partnership between Aitken Spence Institute of Hotel Management and TUI rewards the deserving – those who are passionate to join the industry but may not have the necessary financial backing to enter the sector. This corporate social responsibility project is globally connected, focused on quality, and strives to make a difference in people’s lives. This joint commitment shows great faith in our country and its future.”
This is the fifth batch of the craft level course in restaurant and bar services, conducted as part of the continued training provided by Aitken Spence Hotels to build a base of professionals in the hospitality sector, given the dire need for skilled professionals within the industry.
The training provided via Aitken Spence Institute of Hotel Management is based on the syllabus of the Sri Lanka Institute of Hotel Management to ensure industry standards are maintained; whilst the Institute is managed in partnership with the TUI Care Foundation and Sustainable Hospitality Alliance. The TUI Care Foundation / Sustainable Hospitality Alliance and Aitken Spence Institute of Hotel Management partnership has produced 750 trained employees since its inception in 2019.
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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