Business
Aitken Spence Travels facilitates the first charter flight from Uzbekistan – A new source market
Aitken Spence Travels, the leading DMC in Sri Lanka together with their Uzbekistan agent Asia Luxe welcomed the country’s first charter flight from Uzbekistan on Wednesday 9th February 2022. There will be a weekly flight operating every Wednesday until the end of March 2022. The charter airline operation is partnered with this leading tour operator of Uzbekistan and generates approximately 1,200 guests to Sri Lanka.
All charter flights of Uzbekistan Airways will land at the Mattala Rajapaksa International Airport (MRIA), Mattala from where all passengers would depart on their tours. A special welcome was arranged at the Mattala airport, as this is the first international flight from this source market. Further, necessary arrangements were made to welcome all Uzbekistani visitors, in accordance with the Ministry of Health’s and the Tourism Authority’s health and safety guidelines and rules.
Commenting on this flight operation from Uzbekistan Nalin Jayasundera, Managing Director of Aitken Spence Travels said, “I am delighted to welcome visitors from Uzbekistan to Sri Lanka. This is a new market for us and for Sri Lanka as well. While the world is still fighting the covid 19 pandemic, we managed to break into this new source market after conducting a marketing campaign, making presentations, and organising promotions among a large group of agents in Tashkent, Uzbekistan. As you know Uzbekistan is a landlocked country in Central Asia. It’s a historical country linked to the Silk Road. Our efforts were rewarded when we won the confidence of the Uzbekistan agents as they saw Sri Lanka as a safe and secure travel destination to be explored and enjoyed by their holiday makers. We are happy to support the stakeholders of the tourism industry and contribute to the Sri Lankan economy at this critical moment as this step will lead to the road to recovery of the tourism in Sri Lanka as a whole”.
‘Travelers from Uzbekistan are particularly interested in visiting Sri Lanka because of the country’s rich heritage as well as basking in the sun kissed golden sandy beaches. In addition, the Uzbekistani accommodation options range from four to five-star properties. Uzbekistani tourists can be classified as high-value tourists. More of these types of new source markets need to be identified and explored by Sri Lanka, as it would assist in reviving the industry’s much-needed tourism-related jobs and contribute to the country’s economic stabilisation through foreign income.’
Aitken Spence Travels will also declare open its brand-new Travel counter at the Mattala airport in pursuit of welcoming visitors who land in Mattala. The counter will have facilities to book tours, private transfers, and accommodation options as well.
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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