Business
Aitken Spence Travels welcomes inaugural flight of Red Wings Airlines from Russia to Mattala
Aitken Spence Travels will be welcoming the inaugural charter flight from Red Wings Airlines, a Russian regional leisure airline, arriving at the Mattala Rajapaksa International Airport (MIRA) on the 29th of December 2022.
Red Wings Airlines will be carrying 400 holiday makers on board the Boeing 777 which is a long-range wide-body aircraft that would be landing for the first time at the southern airport for the year 2022. The airline will be operating two flights per week for four months from Moscow to Sri Lanka till end April 2023.
For passengers on the inaugural flight, Aitken Spence Travels will be offering excursions to showcase the splendour of Sri Lanka. Many of the excursions are focusing on the southern coastal belt areas of Hambantota – Kalutara as well as other non-coastal areas covering the country. The excursions are designed to enable and enhance opportunities for the tourism stakeholders of domestic suppliers and partners around the island.
Ms. Stasshani Jayawardena, Director Aitken Spence PLC and Head of Tourism and Leisure Sector of the diversified conglomerate commented about the flight saying ‘Making meaningful contributions to the development of our country through tourism is a priority for Aitken Spence and we are excited by the strategic interventions taken by Aitken Spence Travels that would undoubtedly put Sri Lanka on the map for many tourists for years to come. Our teams in the sector not only enhance economic opportunities by these targeted interventions but build the industry through specific engagements with local suppliers in the industry. We feel blessed to bid adieu to 2022 and commence 2023 on a positive note’.
Aitken Spence Travels has been at the forefront of marketing destination ‘Sri Lanka’ and Russia has always been one of the key source markets to Sri Lanka as well as for the company. Despite the current situation in Russia, the company continued to maintain its strong relationships with its agents and tour operators always reassuring the safety and comfort of visitors. Russian holiday makers have always been bold and enthusiastic when taking a holiday and the island paradise of Sri Lanka has had a way of making a place in their hearts. The company will take a lead in the visitor seats from ‘Sun and Fun’ tour operator for the inaugural flight and will be sharing the seats subsequently with Anex tours.
As the leading DMC in Sri Lanka, Aitken Spence Travels, has been powering the spirit of travel for 45 years. The number of tourists arriving will continue to grow due to the ongoing charter flight operations, and the ongoing cruise calls that will last until mid-2023. These confirmed numbers will be strengthened with the regular FIT and GIT passenger arrivals as well. This is promising for tourism in Sri Lanka, especially given that these arrival figures are confirmed for the next four months.
As an organisation leading the way in inbound tourism, Aitken Spence Travels will continue to make significant efforts to promote destination Sri Lanka, with the ultimate goal of energizing tourism for a brighter future in Sri Lanka.
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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