Business
Sri Lanka showcases its glittery tourism offer at SATTE 2022
As another result of its continuous efforts at promoting Sri Lanka as a potential tourism destination, Sri Lanka Tourism participated in the South Asia Travel & Tourism Exchange (SATTE) travel fair which was held in Greater Noida, Delhi-NCR, India, from May 18-22nd, with 65 Sri Lankan travel and tourism companies participating, a Sri Lanka Tourism Promotion Bureau press release said. The release adds: ‘Sri Lanka’s participation was successful and this year’s SATTE was a collaborative effort of the High Commission of Sri Lanka in New Delhi, the Sri Lanka Tourism Promotion Bureau and 65 travel industry members, including SriLankan Airlines. India is a major source market for Sri Lanka tourism.
‘SATTE offers a comprehensive platform to domestic and international buyers and professionals from across the travel, tourism and hospitality industry along with national and state tourism Boards. SATTE is recognized as Asia’s leading travel and tourism exhibition to conduct business, share knowledge, exchange ideas in order to arrive at solution-driven innovations to accelerate the pace of the growth of the industry. SATTE has grown in terms of exhibitions and visitors (including international and domestic buyers) and is today the biggest networking forum for the travel and tourism industry in South Asia.
‘SATTE is an exceptional trade event which is well-supported by the Ministry of Tourism, government of India, national and international tourism Boards, Indian and international travel and trade associations and organizations, among others. 1,200+ exhibitors, 35,000+ trade visitors, 800+ VIPs & delegates, 26 state tourism Boards from 50+ countries attended SATTE 2022.
‘The Sri Lanka stand had a floor area of 256.5 sqm and was a vibrant attraction, with the décor used to decorate the stand highlighting all tourism attractions of Sri Lanka. The stand warmly welcomed visitors and gave them a flavour of the perfectly blended culture and heritage of Sri Lanka. H G U Pushpakumara, Minister, High commission of Sri Lanka ceremonially opened the Sri Lanka stand in the presence of officials of the Sri Lanka Tourism Promotion Bureau, officials of the High Commission of Sri Lanka and the Country Manager, SriLankan Airlines on May 18, the first day of the event, by lighting the traditional oil lamp along with industry members.
‘India has been identified as one of the fastest growing outbound markets in the world. The UNWTO has ranked India as one of the fastest growing outbound markets in the world with the volume of travellers going up by 25% every year.
‘Sri Lanka Tourism has identified India as an important source market for Sri Lanka which could provide greater opportunities to the Sri Lankan travel industry to engage with the members of SATTE.
‘The interest in exploring new places, the rise in purchasing power, availability of direct and low fare international flights are key drivers for the growth of the Indian travel segment. Sri Lanka plays a crucial role here as the destination is described as the No.3 most talked about ‘tropical south east Asian’ travel destination. 98% of trips to Sri Lanka were for leisure purposes, mostly visited for wildlife and beaches.
‘There is strong flight connectivity to main cities of India with SriLankan Airlines, Indigo, Air India, Vistara, etc. Although majority of travel bookings are made offline (Agents and OTA platforms) travellers are increasingly preferring to book online, especially with regard to lodging.
‘Leading hotel chains, such as, Shangri-La, Movenpick, Radisson have opened in Colombo, while Grand Hyatt and ITC hotels are scheduled to launch. This is an indication of the wide interest from luxury hotel chains. New tourism zones, spanning from beaches to mountains and forests create new avenues for the tourism sector in areas, such as, luxury travel, eco-tourism, health and wellness, etc.‘MICE, casinos, wedding and honeymoon destinations, leisure, youth, Golf tours, Ramayanaya Trail, Buddhist pilgrim tours, etc. are among the main products Sri Lanka could offer Indians all year round.’
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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