Business
Celebrating excellence: Aitken Spence Hotels bags multiple awards and accolades
Premier Sri Lankan hospitality chain, Aitken Spence Hotels reiterated their commitment to unparalleled service excellence in the hospitality industry with a stunning succession of accolades in the last month. The Company’s properties in Sri Lanka, India and Oman and the Maldives have been recognised for their distinctive experiences and steadfast dedication to quality at various esteemed platforms, further cementing their reputation as leaders in travel and sustainable tourism.
At the prestigious South Asian Travel Awards (SATA) 2023, Heritance Hotels and Resorts stood out with a sweep of prestigious awards. Heritance Kandalama was distinguished as the ‘Leading Eco-Friendly Resort’ in Asia, attesting to its profound commitment to environmental stewardship. Our resort in the hills, Heritance Tea Factory bagged the award of ‘Leading Designer Hotel/Resort’ for its unique tea destination concept, whilst Heritance Ayurveda was accoladed as ‘Leading Wellness and Spa Resort’ for its authentic and holistic wellness offering. The resort within the city, Heritance Negombo was awarded as ‘Leading Luxury Hotel/Resort’ reinforcing its promise of comfort and serenity by the sea.
In the Maldives, Adaaran Select Meedhupparu was awarded as the ‘Leading Dive Resort’ while Aitken Spence Hotels Maldives was honoured with the ‘Leading Resort/Hotel Brand’, reflecting its dominant presence and esteemed reputation in the Maldivian hospitality sector.
Turyaa Chennai was recognized as the ‘Leading Meeting and Conference Hotel/Resort’, a nod to its state-of-the-art facilities and service excellence in hosting events and business gatherings.
In addition to these impressive SATA recognitions, Heritance Aarah was honoured with the SHe Travel Club Gold, celebrating the resort’s commitment to empowering women within the hospitality sector, a testament to the brand’s progressive policies and inclusive work environment.
The picturesque Adaaran Select Meedhupparu was honoured with the Condé Nast Traveller Readers’ Choice Award 2023 as well, an acknowledgment from the world’s most discerning travellers that places the property among the upper echelons of global travel destinations.
Business
AHK Sri Lanka champions first-ever Sri Lankan delegation at Drupa 2024
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.
Business
HNB General Insurance recognized as Best General Bancassurance Provider in Sri Lanka 2024
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.”