Business
Aitken Spence Travels welcomes the first luxury passenger cruise ship for the winter season
Aitken Spence Travels, the leading destination management company (DMC) that handles the highest cruise calls for shore excursion to Sri Lanka will commence the first luxury passenger cruise ship ‘Viking Mars’ USA on the 18th – 19th November 2022. Viking Mars will be calling over at the Colombo port with 900 passengers on board commencing the Winter season for cruise calls after the pandemic.
The company will be offering an array of Sri Lankan shore excursion packages that are unique and diverse allowing clients to discover our island nation. During the excursions they will visit Kandy, Pinnawela, city tours in Galle, walking tours in Colombo, boat tours in Muthurajawela and Madu river, experience an agro-village concept, tuk-tuk tours, cultural shows, culinary experiences, art & architecture tours and taste the finest of Ceylon teas.
“Our energetic and dedicated team worked extremely hard over the past 12 months to secure these cruise calls. Shore excursion destinations are usually for 24 months in advance and it’s critical that our pricing is attractive, appealing and relevant”, commented Mr. Nalin Jayasundera, Managing Director of Aitken Spence Travels.
“We appreciate the support extended by Sri Lanka Ports Authority (SLPA) and their security teams, the Sri Lanka Tourism Promotion Bureau (SLTPB) and all other key stakeholders to ensure cruise guests have a positive experience in Sri Lanka. The country needs to have a peaceful environment to attract more visitors and as DMC’s we will continue to promote Sri Lanka aggressively through our marketing and promotional work”, further commented Mr. Nalin Jayasundera.
Aitken Spence Travels continues to be the No. 1 DMC in Sri Lanka because of its drive and passion to curate unique travel experiences for their growing clientele. The company has been in operation for over 45 years and the long-standing relationships, trust and reliability have helped them to continue to work with their partners to become the most sought-after DMC in the country.
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.”
