Business
SriLankan Airlines kills two birds with one stone at its Global Sales Conference
By Sanath Nanayakkare
The recent Global Sales Conference hosted by SriLankan Airlines with the participation of some 200 of its top international agents and tour operators succeeded in achieving two things in one action.
Simply put, in addition to making the conference an event where the Airline presented its future expansion plans and commercial strategy to its international travel representatives, it went ahead and squeezed the best out of the opportunity by allowing them to build a deep emotional connection with Sri Lanka as a truly unique tourism destination.
The three-day programme engaged the world’s travel trade community in thoughtfully curated tours, accompanied by the members of the Airline’s worldwide sales team, taking them to visit some of Sri Lanka’s most iconic landmarks.
In terms of destination branding, this was very important as the participants were representatives of SriLankan Airlines’ direct network spanning the Indian subcontinent, Southeast Asia, the Far East, Europe, the Middle East and Australia. The visitors comprised general sales agents, travel agents, tour operators and franchisees of the Airline’s tour operating arm, SriLankan Holidays
Subsequently the main conference held at Shangri-La Hambantota served as a platform for the global travel industry community to offer their valued personal perspectives to improve the Airlines’ future endeavours in destination marketing.
Richard Nuttall, CEO of SriLankan Airlines in his keynote speech said, “We wanted to bring travel agents from all over the world to Sri Lanka so that they can experience this wonderful country for what it is and go home inspired to promote Sri Lanka as a remarkable and safe destination. I hope that this programme will help them make an emotional connection with Sri Lanka and make them ask themselves how they can add to the value proposition of Sri Lanka Tourism.”
Dimuthu Tennakoon, Head of Worldwide Sales and Distribution of SriLankan Airlines said, “Last year’s Global Sales Conference helped us go beyond our targets, and I expect that this year will be no different. We have received the backing of our agents for the commercial plans that we shared during the conference, and I am confident that this will help us stay on target to deliver even greater results this year.”
Tennakoon presented the Airline’s network and fleet expansion plans as well as the upcoming international rollout of ‘SriLankan Direct Connect,’ a booking platform for agents based on IATA’s New Distribution Capability (NDC) solutions.
“SriLankan Airlines has always been a tourism leader, stimulating inbound travel into Sri Lanka from numerous markets. Our marketing efforts are tailored to leverage on emerging travel trends and highlight Sri Lanka’s hidden gems, of which they are many. Our campaigns unveil the experience catalogue of Sri Lanka and capture the different tempos, ethos and melodies that shape the innate music of this island,” said Saminda Perera, Head of Marketing at SriLankan Airlines.
Amit Pardasani from Delhi-based Belair – the Global Travel Company said, “I had the chance to engage with the SriLankan Airlines’ leadership team and learn about their future expansion plans. We are keen on aligning our company’s goals with the vision of SriLankan Airlines and promoting Sri Lanka in India. In addition to that, we will do the same for Sri Lanka Tourism at our points of sale in the United Kingdom and Singapore.”
Alexandre Bigeard, Head of Transport of French tour operator, KaravelPromovacances and FRAM said, ” When you come to Sri Lanka you want to smile and when you leave you want to cry.”
The Airline said that it would continue to engage with the international travel agents and tour operators to position Sri Lanka as one of the world’s most iconic destinations.
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.”
