Business
Indian media and travel influencers take lead in supporting Sri Lankan tourism
Under the Sri Lanka Tourism Promotion Bureau’s Visiting Journalists & Blogger Programs, a group of high-profile Indian media personnel was invited to Sri Lanka from July 3 to July 11, to re-discover Indo-Sri Lanka historical relationships.
Eight media personnel representing several key states & cities of India, including Delhi, Mumbai, Pune, Kolkata, Bangalore and Hyderabad were present. The Indian audience expected to be reached via this media promotion will be approximately 104 million across India, covering key outbound regions.
Some of the key Indian national & regional publications that participated in this destination exploration were, Lokmat (Print – daily), Daily Sagar (Language – Marathi), India Blooms News Service (indiablooms.com), Mumbai Messenger (Language- Hindi), India Tribune (Language – English), Daily Do baje Dopaha (Language Hindi).
Sri Lanka Tourism Promotion Bureau (SLTPB), the national government agency for International tourism promotions undertook this timely initiative to generate a positive destination brand image about Sri Lanka, while showcasing the welcoming approach of tourism stakeholders in Sri Lanka.
With the current economic downturn the country is facing, neighboring Indian tourists will be the first adventurous traveler segment to visit Sri Lanka on holidays and other tourism & leisure purposes. Yet, they are expecting real-life updates from Sri Lanka to know how travel is feasible. SLTPB invited the above mainstream Indian publications as well as a group of well-established travel influencers to have a naked-eye look at the island mainly through travel and to show them how important it is for tourism to be kept alive for the betterment of well over 2 million Sri Lankans who are involved in it. Also, this promotional exercise is expected to provide an assurance about hassle-free travel in Sri Lanka and update tourism stakeholders on recent policy actions taken by the Ministry of Tourism to offer uninterrupted tourism services (eg: fuel).
For fellow Indian travelers, there are hundreds of reasons to select Sri Lanka as the best holiday getaway out of all regional destinations. With the currency variance, traveling to Sri Lanka right now makes ‘’The Read Deal’’ for Indian tourists. Also, with less cultural shock and more familiar things (food, weather, culture) just like back in India, Sri Lanka is like a perfect holiday home located within a very short distance with frequent flights covering many states.
Visiting Indian media & influencers delegation expects to further promote Sri Lanka as one of the best tourist destinations in the region for potential Indian travel segments, including family travelers, honeymooners, business travel & weekend quick break holiday seekers, wedding & MICE, young solo travel and pilgrims – Ramayana & Buddhist Trail.
To welcome this high-profile Indian media delegation, SLTPB together with Galle Face Hotel Colombo and Walkers Tours organized an evening welcoming event on July 4.
Together with Minister of Tourism Harin Fernado, chairman SLTPB Chalaka Gajabahu, Managing Director SLTPB Ms. Padma Siriwardena, Director Public Relations STPB Ms. Madubhani Perera, Assistant Director Public Relations Chaminda Munasinghe warmly welcomed the Indian media delegation to Sri Lanka.
Officials from the Indian High Commission of Sri Lanka, members of the Sri Lanka Association of Inbound Tour Operators Association (SLAITO) and key Indian entrepreneurs in Sri Lanka also participated in this event. During the event, they shared positive views about the tourism industry in Sri Lanka and the support they seek from India’s outbound tourism industry for a speedy recovery.
The Indian High Commission in Sri Lanka also welcomed the media delegation and Eldos Mathew Punnoose – First Secretary for Press and Information, Development Corporation shared the High Commission’s views on supporting the Sri Lankan tourism industry and on improving trade and social developments in Sri Lanka.
The Indian High Commission in Sri Lanka also welcomed the media delegation and Eldos Mathew Punnoose – First Secretary for Press and Information, Development Corporation shared the High Commission’s views on supporting the Sri Lankan tourism industry and on improving trade and social developments in Sri Lanka.
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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