Business
Aitken Spence Travels welcomes 4,000 cruise passengers for April 2023
Aitken Spence Travels welcomed 4,000 cruise tourists to Sri Lanka on the eve of Sinhala and Tamil New Year. The luxurious cruise ships, MSC Poesia and MSC Magnifica, docked into the port of Colombo with the atmosphere filled with excitement and celebrations.
The shore excursion teams from Aitken Spence Travels were on site, ready to delight these visitors with an array of experiences that showcased the very best of Sri Lanka during the holiday season. From exploring the vibrant local culture through traditional dance shows to enjoying the wonderful Tuk-Tuk rides to experiencing the city life and visiting a variety of attractions to enjoy an unforgettable trip to Sri Lanka were on offer to the visitors.
“Sri Lanka was recently ranked in the Forbes list as one of the 23 best places to visit in 2023 and it’s crucial that we maintain our position and become one of the most popular destinations not just in South Asia but in Asia. I am delighted that Aitken Spence Travels (Destination Management segment of Aitken Spence) has played an instrumental role in growing the cruise tourism operation which has evidently had a positive impact on other key industries such as hospitality, shipping, ports businesses to support the economy”, commented Ms. Stasshani Jayawardena, Executive Director Aitken Spence PLC, Head of Tourism and Leisure sector for the company.
Further commenting on this significant contribution to Sri Lanka tourism’s arrival numbers, Mr. Nalin Jayasundera, Managing Director of Aitken Spence Travels stated, “we are delighted to be in the forefront of bringing in large volume of tourists to Sri Lanka. As a leading DMC we will continue to work directly in convincing cruise operators to dock in Sri Lanka to enjoy the natural beauty the country has to offer”. Needless to say, these are efforts that are seeing results today due to the active role we played in building confidence of the destination whilst ensuring the shore excursion itineraries were attractive and unique”. “We are thankful for the support extended by all the stakeholders for a smooth operation and for our cruise guests to have a positive experience of Sri Lanka.
One delighted visitor of on an excursion exclaimed, “I did not know Sri Lanka was this beautiful. I was thrilled to see how my favourite spice, cinnamon, is made in Sri Lanka. I have always used cinnamon as a powdered product but didn’t know that its mainly a bark of a tree”
Aitken Spence Travels enjoyed a tremendously successful 2023 cruise season with over ten cruise calls that have docked at all the ports of Colombo, Galle, Hambantota, and Trincomalee.
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.”
US sports envoys to Lanka to champion youth development
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