HONG KONG: Flag carrier SriLankan Airlines was awarded two prestigious titles at the World Travel Awards 2018 Asia and Australasia ceremony held at InterContinental Grand Standford in Hong Kong on September 15.
Whilst the airline’s launch campaign to Australia titled ‘Two Cities. One Spirit’ was awarded the ‘Asia’s Leading Marketing Campaign 2018’ accolade, SriLankan managed to defend the familiar title ‘Asia’s Leading Airline to the Indian Ocean 2018’ for the second consecutive year.
SriLankan Airlines group Chief Executive Officer, Vipula Gunatilleka, said: “SriLankan Airlines’ emphasis has been on systematic and focused growth in certain markets to reposition the airline as a leader in the region through product/frequency enhancements and induction of new destinations. Our consolidated strength in the Indian Sub-continent has allowed us to offer a wider choice of travel to customers across our global network. Impactful marketing communication activations, on the other hand, have been instrumental in cementing the airline’s brand presence in our focus markets. These two awards bear testimony to the fact that our efforts have been holistically effective.”
SriLankan Airlines General Manager Marketing, Saminda Perera, said: “We are delighted to receive two coveted awards at the World Travel Awards Asia and Australasia Ceremony this year. Whilst one award reinforces our stature as a leader in the ISC region, the other recognises the innovativeness and universal appeal of our marketing communications endeavours.”
The campaign conducted for the launch of a new destination – Melbourne, “Two cities. One spirit” stems from a place of honouring and celebrating the affinity between Australia and Sri Lanka.
This was a creative collaboration between the airline and its creative agency, JWT Sri Lanka, and this was the second award bestowed upon the campaign after the First Star award at the Golden City Gate Awards, ITB Berlin this year.
The second award “Asia’s Leading Airline to the Indian Ocean 2018” is a true testimony to the airline’s efforts to establish a strong presence in South Asia and the Indian Ocean markets. Whist introducing new destinations, the national carrier has also increased frequencies to popular destinations based on the passenger demand.
Perera further added: “We will continue to explore opportunities to expand our reach in the region and endeavour to offer our passengers enhanced connectivity and a wider choice when travelling with us.”
World Travel Awards is voted for by travel and tourism professionals and business and leisure travel consumers worldwide, and this accolade recognises the commitment to excellence that organisations have demonstrated over the last 12 months.
The World Travel Awards Asia & Australasia Gala Ceremony 2018 is the region’s most prestigious travel and tourism event of the year, which brings together the leading figureheads and VIPs from across Asia and Australasia. The evening also marks the third leg of the World Travel Awards Grand Tour 2018, its 25th anniversary of honouring excellence in the international hospitality industry.
