The award was presented by Susana Alexandre Ferreira Pereira de Campos Esmeriz and CEO of PATA Martin J Craigs to Nalin Jaysundera, Managing Director of Aitken Spence Travels at the Diamond Island City Hall in Cambodia’s capital, Phnom Penh. Aitken Spence Travels was identified from amongst 181 entries from 66 organisations and individuals worldwide; with awards being presented to outstanding entries in four principal categories of Marketing; Education and Training; Environment; and Heritage and Culture.
Achieving the PATA Gold award is in line with the numerous innovative sustainable service development programs continuously being introduced by Aitken Spence Travels for all its customers. The Company hopes to integrate further distinctive ecotourism projects in the future to their current diverse service portfolio.
“As the only Sri Lankan Destination Management Company to receive the Gold award, we are honored and pleased to have been a recipient at PATA. Aitken Spence Travels continues to ingrain sustainable practices to all our operations and set benchmarks for the travel industry. The award will inspire us to continue with such efforts” noted Nalin Jayasundera, Managing Director of Aitken Spence Travels.
The management of Elpitiya Plantations worked very closely with Aitkens Spence Travels to develop this award winning excursion to offer the traveller a memorable experience with its incorporation of activities involving local culture and environment; with the results benefiting all segments of stakeholders, due to the healthy interactions between the traveller and the locals.
Ms Maria Helena de Senna Fernandes, Director of Macau Government Tourist Office (MGTO), noted the following on the winners, “Hats off to all PATA Gold Award 2014 winners! Your outstanding achievements are a breath of fresh air to the rest of the region, broadening our horizons and inspiring us to aim high, not merely on our respective destinations, but collectively as a region.”
With a significant presence in Maldives and fully diversified in to every aspect of tourism, Aitken Spence Travels is the leader in destination management in Sri Lanka. Partnered with the world’s largest name in travel, TUI Travel Plc, and with nearly four decades of experience, the Company is backed by a reputation of being the most professional in the industry. With the commitment towards offering sustainable tourism, Aitken Spence Travels is endowed the Carbon Neutral status by the Sri Lanka Carbon Fund and maintains ISO 9001:2008 and 14001:2004 certifications.(KH)
