Business
dnata Travel Group launches global travel industry event to boost tourism in Sri Lanka
‘Horizon: Sri Lanka’ will take place this June as dnata and Emirates Holidays report 200% increase in bookings to the country in 2024
Dnata Travel Group, a leading Dubai-based travel services provider, part of the Emirates Group, is launching a travel industry event in Sri Lanka this June, Horizon: Sri Lanka, hosted by senior representatives from its global brands, amidst growing demand for travel to the island country.
For dnata Travel Group brands and its partners at Emirates Holidays, outlook for travel to Sri Lanka has been increasingly strong in 2024, with passenger bookings up more than 200% compared to 2023 levels. The UAE and UK continue to represent the most prominent source markets seeking to travel to the country.
Sebastien Doussin
New event, Horizon: Sri Lanka, aims to connect dnata Travel Group brands including UAE-based dnata Travel, UK-based Travelbag, its corporate travel division (dnata Travel Management), its partners at Emirates Holidays, and others, with the local travel and hospitality industry in Sri Lanka, to increase global travel bookings to the country.
Sebastien Doussin, Divisional Vice President, Global Ground Services at dnata Travel Group, commented: “A key element of the strategy for our global travel brands is to continue to increase our presence and strong industry connections across the Indian Ocean, as we remain one of the most prominent producers of room nights to its range of attractive destinations. Horizon: Sri Lanka marks the third event we have held across its island locations, following successful editions in the Maldives and Mauritius. Our events compliment the Strategic Plan for Sri Lanka Tourism 2022-2025 to engage in joint promotions with airlines, travel agents, and tour operators. We hope to encourage future collaboration across the industry and further boost tourism.
“At our upcoming event, business leaders from across the dnata Travel Group will showcase opportunities for growing tourism to Sri Lanka in key markets, including the promotion of its diverse attractions, cultural richness, air connectivity, diverse accommodation offering, affordability, and more – to position the country as a year-round travel destination of choice for our travellers.”
Other, key opportunities in focus for the Sri Lankan market and dnata Travel Group brands at Horizon: Sri Lanka will include:
Multi-centre holidays: Positioning Sri Lanka as part of wider, multi-centre trip planning, to capitalise on strong customer demand across dnata Travel Group brands for destinations such as Dubai and the Maldives, all accessible and serviced by Emirates.
Niche market segments: Promoting Sri Lanka’s diverse range of products which can attract various niche segments such as sustainability, eco-tourism, and wellness.
Luxury segment growth: Using latest technology to connect with smaller boutique hotels to market and support further growth of the luxury segment.
New source markets: As emerging markets seek out new beach destinations, seek potential opportunities for new source market entries to Sri Lanka.
Optimise sourcing and distribution: Using the most suitable contracting method for each product, and to optimise distribution through the dnata Travel Group’s various brands and channels.
Organised by the dnata Travel Group in partnership with Emirates Holidays, senior representatives from the tour operating arm of Dubai-based Emirates airline will also attend the event to reveal latest plans relevant to the travel industry in Sri Lanka. It will take place on 3rd June 2024 at Shangri La Colombo.
To find out more, please contact: Dilakshan Perera at Aitken Spence, on: Dilakshan@aitkenspence.lk. Read on for more about the dnata Travel Group and its range of international travel brands, at: www.dnata.com/travel.
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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