Tourism veterans recognized at first ever travel and tourism awards

The country's resilient travel and tourism sector was bestowed with Presidential awards for their outstanding contribution to socio-economic development of the country.

Winners were selected by a panel of judges comprising of Nalin Attygalla (Chairman), Dr. Hilary Cooray, Dr. L.N. Senaweera, Nihal Rodrigo, Sujatha Weerakoon and Ganaka Amarasingha, the Tourism Ministry said.

This year's awards, consisting of 44 awards, covering 11 industry segments and acknowledging all aspects and sectors of the tourism industry in Sri Lanka. A number of awards were presented posthumously -- two former ministers, Dharmasiri Senanayake and Anandatissa De Alwis, as well as the renowned architect Geoffrey Bawa, Ms. Pearl Heenatigala (former Principal, Ceylon Hotel School), A.C.H. de Zoysa (first chairman of the Ceylon Tourist Board), former Chairman of John Keells Holdings Mark Bostock and the promoter of the first Ayurveda Resort in Sri Lanka, Sudanapala Rodrigo.

Other awards were bestowed on the performances of star class hotels, there were also awards in the following categories: airline, resort, communication, service excellence, tour guide, chef of the year, best destination, loyal partners in travel (local and foreign) and best provincial council promoting tourism. An award was also given for exceptional individual contributions in the hotel industry which was carried away by P. Publis Silva of Mt. Lavinia Hotel.

-Tourist Hotels: 5 Star City - Cinnamon Grand Colombo; 5 Star Resort -. Kandalama Hotels Ltd; 4 Star - Riverina Hotel, 2 Star - Club Palm Garden- Beruwala. Three star and One star categories were not awarded.

-Tourist Hotels – Others: Boutique Hotel - Saman Villas. Other categories of Heritage Hotel, Boutique Villa, Heritage Home, Guest House and Home Stay were not awarded.

-Restaurant - The Lagoon (Cinnamon Grand, Colombo)

In the Airlines category, the Charter Air Line Operator award was given to Choice Air Ways while no awards were made for the Air Line of the Year and Air Line Operation for the Year

-Best Destination local partners: Local Tour Operator - Aitken Spence Travels; Travel Agent (Not Awarded); Domestic Tour Operator - Ebert Silva Touring Co; Conference Management Company - ACE Travels Conventions.

-Best Communication Effort: Tourism Marketing Communication Company - Master Advertising; Media Initiative – Electronic (Not Awarded); Media Initiative – Print- Delerine Munzeer

-Best Niche Operation: Ayurveda Based Tourism Operation - Barberyn Ayurveda Beach Resort; Adventure Tourism Operator - Lanka Sportereizen Service Excellence

-Tourist Guide: Riza Badureen; Chauffeur Guide: Aitken Spence Travels/ Ravindra Palagolla: Chef- Aitken Spence/Dimuthu Kumarasinghe

-Exceptional Individuals: Mt. Lavinia Hotel/Publis Silva

-Corporate Social Responsibility/CSR - Chaya Village; CSR Civil Society - Ruhunu Tourist Bureau
-Best Destination Loyal Partners: Tour Operator -Kuoni Travel Limited

-Foreign Journalist - Ms. Sachiyo Lwase

-Outstanding personality (Not Awarded); Foreign Mission (Not Awarded)

-Best Provincial Tourism Project/Provincial Destination and Marketing Inititative: Southern Provincial – Ruhunu Tourist Bureau; Provincial Tourism Project (Not Awarded); Local Authority Destination; Development and Marketing Initiative (Not Awarded)