Updates on the Ground

Dear Partners,

My warmest greetings!

Exciting developments are underway in Sri Lanka and the Maldives, with both countries experiencing significant activity in recent months. The first quarter saw us receiving an influx of group tours in Sri Lanka, and visitor arrivals have started to pick up again in the Maldives.

Our operations in Sri Lanka have expanded with the introduction of a club operation catering to French clientele, while the Russian luxury market has significantly boomed in just a few months. In the Maldives, we are looking at driving more business through our distribution system as we continue to ensure competitive rate advantages, better connectivity, and easier access for our partners.

Simultaneously, we continue to explore more local partnerships for new and off-the-beaten-path destinations and experiences. We are also looking at forging new collaborations with eco-conscious accommodations and promoting more responsible travel practices throughout our operations.

Thank you for choosing us as your trusted travel partner, and we look forward to welcoming you as we embark on this exhilarating journey together!

Yours,

Suranjith

Sri Lanka

Boosting Business with Flight and Ferry Resumptions

Cathay Pacific and Thai Airways have announced the resumption of roundtrip flights to Colombo beginning February 2024 and March 2024 respectively. A significant milestone, the airlines are looking forward to fostering stronger ties with Sri Lanka and facilitating the movement of people and goods across borders.

Meanwhile, the Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority (SLTDA) foresees a positive impact on Northern Tourism with the ferry services between India and Sri Lanka resuming last February 25th. This initiative marks a significant step toward reinstating regular ferry services that had been in place until 1981. The ferry can accommodate 150 passengers with a starting fare of $50 for a one-way trip — appealing to Indian traders due to its affordability and shorter travel time of two hours. With this opportunity, SLTDA Chairman Priantha Fernando expects increased employment opportunities and economic benefits for the local SME sector.

Conde Nast Traveller Gives Spotlight to Sri Lanka

The prestigious publisher recently featured the country as part of 10 Places to Visit in Asia this March 2024. The article highlights the country’s array of newest luxury offerings and cultural events — painting the picture of a bouncing-back country from last year’s economic challenges.

Click here for the article

Maldives

Bold Expansions in the Maldives

Big news on the new international airport terminal — it’s progressing ahead of its schedule! The accelerated development means that the terminal's capacity will expand to accommodate 3 million passengers annually. This is especially crucial as we prepare to welcome anticpated 2.3 million guests in 2024.

The expansion includes a passenger terminal building, a runway, a cargo terminal complex, a fuel farm and a seaplane terminal (along with a maintenance, repair and overhaul facility) and a very important person (VIP) / commercially important person (CIP) terminal.

Outside the airport, the country is set to open approximately 12 resorts throughout 2024. The stunning Sofitel SO/ already opened their doors earlier this year, while Soneva Secret, a new luxury castaway located in the northernmost atoll, Haa Dhaalu, is anticipated to open within the year.

These expansions are expected to create a substantial number of new jobs, potentially providing a significant economic boost to the country.

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