Aitken Spence Travels, the largest inbound operator of the country closed the 2016/17 financial year with a total inbound volume exceeding 150,000 visitors to Destination Sri Lanka. The year’s performance builds on the previous year’s record high 129,000 visitors, signalling continued growth for the country.
Commenting on this achievement Managing Director, Aitken Spence Travels Nalin Jayasundera stated: “We are very pleased to have been able to build on last year’s inbound volume and we know certainly that this achievement is the result of our tour operators who are our principal partners in our journey of success placing their confidence in us along with their trust in the destination. I must acknowledge the professional and exceptional service of the Aitken Spence staff without whom this feat would not have been a reality. A journey of this nature is also not possible without the support we receive from our hotel partners, airline partners, suppliers and overseas representatives for their shared commitment to grow Sri Lanka’s tourism in this positive backdrop where the tourists have placed their trust in Destination Sri Lanka.”
“The company has concentrated on being closer to its customers with service excellence while exploring new market segments. This customer-centric approach has proven to be effective and we are seeing results that justify our strategy. Aitken Spence Travels recorded 4 Charter operations from UK, Nordic, Italy and Russia since November/ December last year when the airport runway was partially closed but had the commitment of the Charter operators till April this year. These core decisions and trust by our partners enabled us to achieve our arrival pax targets to continue market dominance for Aitken Spence Travels” further commented Nalin Jayasundera.
Glen Morris and his wife Leeza Morris were the two visitors who ticked the count past 150,000 happy visitors and were received by the Aitken Spence Travels team upon their arrival to Sri Lanka. The British nationals are on their first time visit to the island and will be staying at the newly built Heritance Negombo for a fortnight. “The hotel (Heritance Negombo) is even better than the pictures on their website and we are really happy with the decision we made. I’m in love with the Sri Lankan beaches and Heritance Negombo, it is a great hotel to stay at if you just want to relax and experience the beaches. I’m really impressed with the service and amenities of the hotel as well as the travel arrangements made for us by Aitken Spence Travels,” commented Leeza Morris. Aitken Spence Travels is a significant contributor to its partner hotel networks and the annual high volume of purchase places Aitken Spence Travels at the position of being the largest inventory buyer from the hotel sector. The company has also diversified into every aspect of tourism and related activities such as leisure, eco, adventure, MICE, shore excursions for cruise liners and luxury tourism. Aitken Spence Travels also partners the world’s best in the business as is exemplified through the ongoing partnership with TUI, the world’s largest integrated tourism company. Since the 2014/15 financial year the company has been handling over one hundred thousand inbound clients and have not looked back since then. The success formula for the company has continued to be the top management’s commitment and dedication to the business with operations carrying out a professional service with knowledgeable destination marketing coupled with excellent partnerships with its travel agents, partners, stakeholders while taking bold decisions to maintain market share. The company will strive further to ensure every business opportunity is converted to a gainful positive sale for the company, especially when the company is making arrangements to celebrate being in business for four decades.
Sri Lanka Travel Feneteko