Business
Emirates shines at the 2022 Business Traveller Middle East Awards
Emirates has once again been crowned as ‘Best Airline Worldwide’ for the ninth consecutive time at the 2022 Business Traveller Middle East awards.
At a ceremony attended by key travel industry executives, the airline also swept three other categories, including airline with the “Best Premium Economy Class”, “Best Economy Class” and “Best Frequent Flyer Programme”.
The awards are a recognition of Emirates’ unrelenting commitment to delivering on its ‘Fly Better’ promise through multi-billion dollar investments in customer experience initiatives, products and services in the air and on the ground during a year of rebuilding and recovery. Even when others were cutting back, Emirates continued to introduce new offerings and enhancements, giving it the strategic advantage to further differentiate its signature customer experience from booking to boarding.
Just a year after its debut, Emirates’ Premium Economy has shown that it’s a cut above the rest, and has been highly sought after by customers thanks to its 19.5 inch spacious seats, 40 inch roomy pitch and relaxing 8 inch reclining position, rounded off by soft leather finishings, 6-way adjustable headrests, a footrest and luxurious wood panelling inspired by the airline’s Business Class cabin.
The airline has taken the experience full-circle and will be rolling out the complete Premium Economy experience onboard and on the ground from 1 August with dedicated check-in at DXB, uniquely designed amenities including soft, sustainable blankets and generously sized pillows, complimentary amenity kits, fine glass and chinaware, curated dining and beverage choices and thoughtful culinary touches throughout the meal service including premium wines and chocolates. Customers can also enjoy hours of entertainment with the best IFE in the skies with up to 5,000 channels.
The full Premium Economy Class experience will be available for sale from 1 June for travel from 1 August for Emirates customers venturing to London, Paris, Sydney, as well as Christchurch from December.
To ensure more customers get to experience this cabin class on more routes, Emirates will begin its retrofit programme in November to install Premium Economy on 67 A380s and 53 Boeing 777s. At the end of the programme, Emirates will have 126 aircraft fitted out with Premium Economy cabins, as well as the airline’s newest interiors across other cabins.
Over the last year, Emirates has also rolled out a series of customer-focused initiatives including accelerating and scaling up its digital initiatives for smoother journeys through more biometric and contactless touchpoints in Dubai.
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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