JKH, Aitken Spence big winners at Sri Lanka Tourism Awards for 2011
View(s):
Renowned travel writer Sanath Weerasuriya received an award in the Eco Tourism category as Best Initiative for Ecotourism Research, Training and Education for the Eco Tourism Foundation.
A large number of awards were bagged by the JKH group with Cinnamon Lakeside – Colombo and Cinnamon Lodge – Habarana receiving the best Five Star (City) and best Five Star (Resort), respectively at the Sri Lanka Tourism Awards presented on Thursday night.
Azmara Spa of Cinnamon Lakeside – Colombo grabbed the Best Host Hotel / Establishment – Spa while the Best Accommodation Unit/ Establishment was received by Chaaya Wild – Yala. In addition, in the Travel Agent – Inbound Large Category Walkers Tours Limited received the top award along with the Destination Promotion award for Best Tourism Website.
On the other hand, the Aitken Spence group bagged the Best Green Practices in Accommodation and Best Practices in Green Architecture (Eco Category) by Heritance Kandalama. In addition the best Tour Operator in Emerging Market went to Aitken Spence Travels while Aitken Spence conventions and Exhibitions received the Professional Conference Organizer award in the MICE Tourism category. Chef of the Year was bagged by the Heritance Ahungalla’s Lalith Gunasekara; while Restaurant Manager of the Year went to Thushara Gnanarathne and Kumara Karunarathne of the same hotel received the Hotel Employee of the Year award. Entering the Hall of Fame this year for having bagged awards in the same category for three consecutive years were Paradise Road – Gallery Café for Best Themed Cuisine Restaurant, Barberyn Ayurvedic Beach Resort – Weligama for Best Host Hotel Ayurveda Tourism and The Galle Face Hotel – Colombo for Best Heritage Hotel.
Entrepreneur Sanjeev Gardiner received the Tourism Entrepreneur of the Year award adding to the Galle Face Hotel awards. Other individual awards in the General category were given to Prema Cooray for Tourism Legends, Prasanna Jayawardena for Tourism Pioneer and Chethiya Perera for Outstanding Contribution to Tourism.
All the winners. Pix by Susantha Liyanawatte
Excellence in Service was awarded for National Tourist Guide Lecturer in Nature and Wildlife received by Aloy B.C. Diaz; in Adventure by Nalaka Palipana. Under the Chauffeur Tourist Guide category, the Nature and Wildlife award was received by Chandima Jayaweera; Culture and Heritage by Ajith Wijesinghe, and in General by Ranjith Sudasinghe. Pastry Chef of the Year was bagged by Hilton Colombo’s Stanley Perera.
This year also saw the Sri Lankan missions’ overseas receiving awards for their contribution towards tourism promotion with the top three being Sri Lankan missions in Russia, China and the US.Chairman of the Judges Panel Prof. Uditha Liyanage addressing the gathering said this year was marked with an increased number of entries numbering 150 compared to 95 last year.
He noted that judging for the awards was carried out by site visits as well and noted however, that the industry required sprucing up in certain areas. It was mentioned that the industry was relaxed in terms of their target markets; did not see the product falling in line with the markets targeted; no risk mitigation strategies; and training needs and development needs must be in place. In addition he pointed out that proper coordination between the backstage and front stage with sufficient integration was a necessity.
Follow @timesonlinelk
Related Posts:
Hotel Employee of the YearKumara Karunarathna from the Heritance Ahungalla received the Hotel Employee of the Year award at the Sri Lanka Tourism Awards ...
Aitken Spence Hotels receives ‘Most Energy Efficient Hotel’ awardPicture shows winning team representing Aitken Spence Hotels.
‘Tourism Awards night’ sees giants make headway in tourismThe tourism industry’s main stake awards night saw industry giants and upcoming individuals walking away with the coveted Sri Lanka ...
Aitken Spence profits grow by 25 % in 1stQAitken Spence PLC has reported a pre-tax profit of Rs 918 million for the first quarter, a growth of 25 ...
Hayleys wins record 14 awards at AgBiz 2012The Hayleys Group's agriculture units won a record 14 awards at the 2012 National Agri Business (AgBiz) awards in Colombo ...