John Keells Group leads in Sri Lanka’s Tourism Sector
The John Keells Group led Sri Lankan tourism companies by winning 9 awards at the Presidential Awards for Travel and Tourism 2009. This was the highest tally of awards won by a single company and reaffirms John Keells’ leadership position in the leisure industry. The event was held on a grand scale on 15th June 2010 at the BMICH, Colombo under the patronage of Hon. Lakshman Yapa Abeywardene, Deputy Minister of Economic Development.
Of the 9 Presidential Awards won by John Keells Group, seven (7) went to the Group’s Leisure Inbound Sector, with Walkers Tours and Whittals Travel winning Best Domestic Tourism Operator, Best Nature and Adventure Tour Operator (Nature Odyssey), Best Charter Airline Operator (Condor), Best Chauffeur Guide - Mr. Pramo Welagedara, Best Guide - Mr. Keerthi Wijesinghe, Best Destination Loyal Partner (Foreign) - Kuoni Travel, and Hall of Fame Award for Best Destination Loyal Partner - Kuoni. The Hall of Fame award was earned by Kuoni for winning the Best Destination Loyal Partner for the third consecutive year. Cinnamon Grand Colombo won the Luxury Accommodation Best Five Star City Hotel, and Hall of Fame Award for Luxury Accommodation Best Five Star City Hotel, by winning the Best Five Star city Hotel for the third consecutive year.
“We are delighted with this achievement. It is noteworthy that they cover all areas of Destination Management – Nature and Adventure, Best Overseas Tour Operator, Charter Airline Operator as well as the Best Guide and Chauffeur Guide all of which were won for the second consecutive year. In addition, the company’s initiative to showcase Sri Lanka to our own people was recognized with the award for Best Domestic Tourism Operator. This is a true endorsement of the commitment of our team which strives to achieve excellence and meet global standards at all times. We are well positioned to take on the unprecedented opportunities available for the leisure industry in post war Sri Lanka,” said Head of Leisure Inbound Sector Mr. Vasantha Leelananda, expressing his views on John Keells Group Leisure Inbound Sector’s achievements at the Presidential Awards for Travel and Tourism.
Commenting on Cinnamon Grand Colombo’s unique achievement, General Manager Rohan Karr said “whilst the Hall of Fame Award has cemented the Cinnamon Grand's legacy as a premiere establishment offering services of the highest calibre, The Best Five Star City Hotel Award has reinforced Cinnamon Grand as a market leader.”
Presidential Awards for Travel and Tourism 2009 was organised by the Ministry of Economic Development, in collaboration with Professional marketer and former president of Sri Lanka Institute of Marketing Mr. Nalin Attygalle. Presidential Awards for Travel and Tourism is carried out in partnership with Sri Lanka Tourism with the goal of recognising and rewarding excellence among industry stakeholders and to encourage sustainable development of the tourism industry.
(Source: Daily Mirror – 7th June, 2010)