Business
Blue Lanka Tours wins Sri Lanka’s leading tour operator for the third time by World Travel Awards
Blue Lanka Tours has won the award for The Leading Tour Operator in Sri Lanka 2023 by the World Travel Awards for the third time. Winning in 2020 and consecutively in 2022 and this year, the company has maintained its position at the top of the leaderboard for the past four years. The award celebrates global industry excellence in travel and tourism.
Each year, the World Travel Awards covers the globe with its Grand Tour to recognise the gold standard for travel, tourism and hospitality industries in key geographical locations. They award their coveted titles to those who display a commitment to industry standards, quality of experiences, innovative approaches and raising benchmarks.
A specialist in bespoke holidays, Blue Lanka Tours unites its innate passion for travel that creates unforgettable memories with meticulous attention to detail. Persevering and evolving through the difficult times Sri Lanka has been through in recent years, the company has managed to preserve its spirited nature, always striving to create meaningful and magical experiences, showcasing the island’s rich tapestry of culture, stunning landscapes, heritage, and hidden treasures.
The curated itineraries explore every mesmerising and unique aspect of the island, some known and some not-so-known. Over the years, the company has built a significant clientele from across the globe, drawn to its impressively varied experiences, from the epitome of tropical luxury to wild adventures.
Company CEO Dinesh Perera expressed his gratitude to clients, stakeholders and his exceptional team that makes all recognition Blue Lanka Tours has received on the world stage over the years possible. He believes the award underlines the dedication and effort of his team, which continuously enhances the company’s operational processes.
He further stated: “I’m both humbled and honoured by this accolade and want to thank the World Travel Awards team and panel members for the recognition bestowed upon Blue Lanka Tours, once again. I know the World Travel Awards works hard in their yearly quest for the best in class.”
The company’s repeated success in the global playing field is down to its genuine interest in client travel goals, personalised touch, care put into every itinerary, and passion for crafting holidays that pleasantly surprise travellers with added value and profound insight. With a fleet of luxury vehicles, over 1000 accommodation properties in its portfolio, professional expertise, strong relationships, and exceptional flexibility, Blue Lanka Tours brings unending possibilities that can meet every travel desire to one of the hottest exotic destinations in the world.
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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