Business
Sri Lanka Tourism eyes to lure more Indian tourist arrivals to Sri Lanka
Hosts FAM tour for a group of Indian media personnel
A group of Indian media personnel including Journalists, bloggers and influencers visited Sri Lanka recently to develop bilateral connections and show their support as a good neighbour to promote Sri Lanka and help it to keep its status as one of the most popular tourist destinations in the world.
Initially, most of the tourist arrivals to Sri Lanka this year consisted of Indian tourists, showing their interest and enthusiasm in getting to know the similar cultural and natural heritage in both countries, historic locations and numerous travel opportunities.
Subsequently, a media crew of 17 journalists, bloggers and influencers participated in this tour, as they represented mainstream Media houses such as the “Times of India”, “The Hindu”, White Hat Media (Pvt) Ltd. National Geography Traveler, YouTube channel – Tamil Navigation, Instagram – Malayali Yathtrakal, dark angel, Surbhi – Travel & Lifestyle blogger, Explore with ecocats, lemonicks.com, etc. The Media crew was divided into 3 groups as to cover Heritage, Southern coast, and Adventure. This was the first time where a media delegation was made to report on separate sections on one tour, and promoting tourism in a more progressive way.
In reporting heritage, they visited places such as Ridi Viharaya, Minneriya, Anuradhapura, Mihintale, Sigiriya Rock Fortress, Dambulla Cave Temple, Pollonnaruwa, Spice Gardens, Peradeniya Botanical Garden, Temple of Tooth Relic, Cultural dance performances, Giragama Tea Factory, Embekke Devalaya in Kandy and Negombo beaches. They were amazed with the magic and splendor it had to offer, and of the proud heritage which have been preserved for many years.
The group which covered the Southern belt of Sri Lanka and had the opportunity of giving coverage to the Yala National Park, Hambantota, Galle and Mirissa. They also had the opportunity of getting involved in activities including visiting the Kanneliya rain forest, the Lunugaga estate, Dutch Fort – Galle, and whale watching at Mirissa. The Lunugaga estate took a special place as this was the Country house of the renowned Sri Lankan Architect Geoffrey Bawa. En route the Media crew visited the Kande Vihara, where the 160 feet tall Buddha statue is believed to be one of the tallest in the world. Another attraction was whale and Dolphin watching experience in Mirissa, where they could view various species of whales and Dolphins performing acrobatics in the warm Indian ocean.
The third group went on an adventure trail as they covered areas including locations such as Kandy, Horton plains – Nuwara Eliya, Ella, Bentota, etc. They visited the Peradeniya Botanical gardens, The Temple of the sacred tooth Relic, the Hantana Mountain range which is a popular adventure hub for those who would be interested in hiking, camping and bird watching, and enjoying the nature where a spectacular view of the Kandy city could be seen from the highest peak. All these specific locations offered enough and more content for the Media group to deliver through their respective Media houses. They had an early morning leave for Horton plains, the only national park situated in the Hill country which is Sri Lanka’s highest and most isolated plateau at an elevation of more than 2000 meters located in the Nuwara Eliya district. After an evening walk in the Nuwara Eliya City, they proceeded to Ella by train and finally Bentota, which saw the conclusion of the Tour.
Thus, the Indian media delegation had a memorable experience of witnessing Sri Lanka’s unique diversity, its cultural prestige, and the many holiday opportunities it has to offer. This Media FAM Tour is considered as an exclusive opportunity to promote Sri Lanka among the Indian tourists and encourage more Indian tourist arrivals to Sri Lanka, especially as both countries share similar historical and cultural aspects, traditions and religious sites. It will also be an opportunity to convey a positive message that Sri Lanka is safe and secure. India has recorded the highest number of tourist arrivals this year, surpassing all other countries, once more proving its support as a good neighbor.
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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