Business
World’s premier travel agents examine Destination SRI LANKA
= SriLankan Airlines demonstrates country’s safe and secure environment for visitors
= Visiting agents convinced enough to recommend Sri Lanka to their clients
= Positive change of perception after they saw ground situation in Sri Lanka
By Sanath Nanayakkare
Sri Lanka Tourism’s image may have suffered largely from the unfortunate events in the recent past. But unwavering SriLankan Airlines with other tourism stakeholders of the country recently took a historic initiative to boost the country-image with more than 150 of the world’s premier travel agents and tour operators who play a great role in destination promotions.
Through a 4-day program dubbed as Global Sales Conference, SriLankan Airlines laid the groundwork to accelerate the recovery and growth of Sri Lanka’s tourism industry by giving these premier tour operators an opportunity to experience Sri Lanka’s top-rated tourist attractions and the favorable conditions that prevail in the country for tourism.
They were convinced that Sri Lanka remains a safe and fascinating place to visit and wouldn’t hesitate to recommend Sri Lanka to their clients as one of the world’s best places to visit irrespective of what had been said by certain sections of the international media.
This positive change of perception about Sri Lanka was manifest in these tour operators after they saw first-hand what really was going in this country’s tourism landscape.
This timely endeavor by SriLankan Airlines showcased the country’s readiness for tourism to this largest contingent from the international travel trade to Sri Lanka, and that Sri Lanka is not just magnificent, but safe and more than ready to receive global travellers to its shores. Notably, they have expressed their readiness to extensively promote Sri Lanka in their home markets after this convincing test of the destination.
Richard Nuttall, Chief Executive Officer of SriLankan Airlines said,” It is great that so many top international agents came together to support this one-of-a-kind endeavour by SriLankan Airlines to reassure the world that Sri Lanka remains a safe and fascinating place to visit. Sri Lanka was recently recognized as one of the world’s friendliest countries. However, the reality is that Sri Lanka has always been warm and welcoming, and the people of this wonderful country have always looked after its visitors. It is pleasing to know that the visiting agents got to experience this first-hand, and intend to promote Sri Lanka extensively in their home markets.”
The assemblage experienced Sri Lanka’s top-rated tourist attractions firsthand before convening in Sigiriya to learn about the outlook of Sri Lanka as a destination that is not just magnificent, but safe and more than ready to receive global travellers to its shores.
Foreign General Sales Agents of the airline and SriLankan Holidays’ Franchise Operators also participated in the symposium in addition to travel trade industry representatives. A thoughtfully designed sightseeing tour preceded the conference, with visitors taking in highlights such as the Yala National Park; Ella; Kandy; Galle; Beruwala; Sigiriya; Nuwara Eliya; Habarana; Polonnaruwa; Anuradhapura; Ritigala; Negombo; and Colombo.
Eminent guest speakers, Alexandre Debanne, founder of Raid Amazones and Piyush Minocha, a Sr. Business Development Manager of the Expedia Group, spoke on marketing Sri Lanka to French travellers and Sri Lanka’s potential for sustainable tourism, respectively. The conference wrapped up with a panel discussion involving Richard Nuttall, Chief Executive Officer and Dimuthu Tennakoon, Head of Worldwide Sales & Distribution from SriLankan Airlines and Chalaka Gajabahu, the Chairman of Sri Lanka Tourism Promotion Bureau and moderated by Dileep Mudadeniya, Senior Vice President Global Alliances & Partnerships, John Keells Group Leisure sector.
Kumar Vellore Jagadeesan, General Manager of Anta Travels, India said, “Throughout our stay in Sri Lanka, we were overwhelmed by the hospitality and care that were extended to us. This is what makes Sri Lanka stand apart from the rest; the inherent caring ways of its people that make a traveller wish that his holiday never ends.”
Echoing similar sentiments, Kanwal Faizal Zia, Head of Business Development, Executive Aviation Pakistan added, “It did not take long for me to realize that irrespective of what is being said and spoken about Sri Lanka in the media, the country is absolutely beautiful and safe. Now, I want to come back every year. I am sure once you explore Sri Lanka, you would feel it too.”
Ashok Pathirage, Chairman, SriLankan Airlines remarked, “SriLankan Airlines has done it once again, by taking the initiative and laying the groundwork to accelerate the recovery and growth of Sri Lanka’s tourism industry. I am certain that the synergism created in the last few days will contribute towards realizing the national vision to transform Sri Lanka into a high-value destination in the years ahead.”With the conclusion of the SriLankan Airlines’ Global Sales Conference, the airline looks forward to an on-target performance this winter, and the numbers look promising.
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.”
US sports envoys to Lanka to champion youth development
Rahuman questions sudden cancellation of leave of CEB employees
