Bringing pride and glory to the paradise island, Sri Lanka Tourism had the privilege to clinch two prestigious awards as Asia’s Leading Destination and Asia’s Leading Adventure Tourism Destination. These awards were received at the Indian Ocean Gala event, which was held at the World Travel Awards Ceremony at Sun Aqua Vilu Reef, Maldives on 8th July 2017. Sri Lanka was honored to receive these awards as they won them among 47 countries in Asia. The event sparked off amidst a distinguished gathering, including World Travel Awards Chairman and founder, Mr. Graham Cooke, and the Deputy Minister of Tourism in Maldives, Mr. Hussain Lirar. The awards were received by Mr. Sutheash Balasubramaniam , Managing Director , and Ms. Madhubani Perera , Director, Marketing of Sri Lanka Tourism Promotion Bureau respectively. Sri Lanka Tourism received an opportunity to broadcast a video clip of our paradise nation on a big screen while Sri Lanka Tourism officials were also interviewed by the media afterwards. The video showcased the richness of Sri Lanka as a compact island with its cultural heritage and natural resources.

This was a special moment for Sri Lanka Tourism, that will help to increase its prestige as one of the main government organizations contributing to boost the tourism sector and promote Sri Lanka as an ideal travel destination. Therefore, Sri Lanka was able to steal the limelight of the show as they were able to clinch a galore of awards making Sri Lanka mark it’s place on the global map. The winners were selected through a special voting system which was transparent and unbiased.

Sri Lanka Tourism joined with travel industry representatives who also won several prestigious awards as Sri Lanka ‘s best in travel and hotel industry. Sri Lankan Airlines was selected as Asia’s Leading Airline to the Indian Ocean, and also as Asia’s Leading Cultural Airline. Casa Colombo became Asia’s Leading Design Hotel, while Hilton Colombo, bagged the award for Sri Lanka’s Leading Business Hotel. Movenpick Colombo received two awards as Sri Lanka’s Leading Hotel and its presidential suite was selected as Sri Lanka’s Leading Hotel Suite. Aitken Spence Travels bagged Sri Lanka’s Leading Destination Management Company award while Taya Finch became Sri Lanka’s Leading Travel Agency, and Habarana Lodge as Sri Lanka’s Leading Family Resort.

Maldives was awarded as Indian Ocean’s Leading Destination, Leading Beach Destination, and Leading Dive Destination at the World Travel Award’s Indian Ocean Gala Ceremony.

World Travel Awards is an international organization based in U.K, and established in 1993. Headed by Mr. Graham Cooke, Chairman and founder, World Travel Awards’, main purpose is to ‘’ acknowledge, reward and celebrate excellence across all sectors of the global travel and tourism industry. ‘’This time, the event was held for the 24th successive year, and regarded as the most prestigious and comprehensive in the global industry. Each year, this gala event covers the globe with its grand tour- a series of regional gala ceremonies to recognize excellence within each continent, complete with a grand finale. The event is categorized into several regions, such as Indian Ocean, Asia- Australasia, Latin America, Caribbean and North America, Europe, Africa and Middle East. A gala ceremony is held in each region, to give away the awards. The grand finale will be held at Phu Quoc , Vietnam , in December 2017 , which will be one spectacular event in the travel and tourism calendar, to end the year with glamour and style.

The World Travel Awards Committee is also keen to have a Grand Finale event in Sri Lanka in the near future. This gala event was concluded attended by representatives from leading travel agencies, tour operators, destinations, providing an opportunity to network, connect and develop business relationships among local and international counterparts.

Mr. Sutheash Balasubramaniam and Ms. Madhubani Perera with the awards won by Sri Lanka Tourism Promotion Bureau.

Ms. Madhubani Perera , Director- Marketing, receives the award for Asia’s leading adventure tourism destination from chairman , World Travel Awards, Mr. Graham Cooke

Other tourism and travel partners who won their awards