John Keells Leisure sector dominates Tourism Awards 2010

Tuesday, 31 May 2011 00:15 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

Walkers Tours sweeps the travel awards with 3 awards including the ‘best inbound tour operator.’

Ken Balendra former Chairman of John Keells Holdings and Managing Director of Walkers Tours recognised as a Tourism Legend.

The awards won: Best Inbound Tour Operator - Walkers Tours; Best Tourism Website (travel) - Walkers Tours; Best Charter Airline - Walkers Tours / Condor; Best City Hotel - Cinnamon Lakeside; Best Spa - Azmaara Spa, Cinnamon Lakeside and Best Host Hotel Culture - Nuga Gama, Cinnamon Grand.

John Keells Executive Vice President and Head of Destination Management Sector Vasantha Leelananda said: “We are delighted that Walkers Tours has been recognised with three prestigious awards including the best Inbound Tour Operator. This is an endorsement of the consistent efforts we put in to raise the bar in marketing and communications, excellence in service standards, creating trend setting initiatives whilst maintaining our commitment to the community at large and ensuring the sustainability of our product.”

Walkers Tours CEO Michael Elias said: “This is the result of a brilliant team effort with all market segments performing well. In a year in which the industry faced severe shortages in inventory – both hotel rooms and vehicles, the efforts of my team, their commitment and passion for service to clients stood out among the rest.

In addition, our two pronged strategy of actively driving new markets and niches while strongly continuing to support the traditional markets which have stood by the destination in times of adversity has paid off significantly.”