June 8, 2018 TnH Global 1

Indo-Sri Lanka rendezvous at HRAWI’s 18th Regional Convention to open new avenues in hospitality

Hon’ble Consul General of Sri Lanka sets the tone for the 3-Day convention at a press conference in Mumbai.

The Hotel and Restaurant Association of Western India (HRAWI) spelled out the details of its upcoming Regional Convention at a press conference held at Hotel Marine Plaza yesterday. The 18^th Regional Convention will be held in Sri Lanka from 27^th June to 30^thJune, 2018 and is the Association’s first Regional Convention to be held outside of the country. Chamari Rodrigo, Hon’ble Consul General of Sri Lanka was the Chief Guest for the evening.

HRAWI’s convention will be participated by key policy makers, international Government representatives, investors and industry stalwarts. The 18^th Regional Convention will serve as an ideal platform for industry players to learn and adapt to the evolving market trends. Themed ‘Surfing The Wave Of Global Tourism’, the speakers stressed on the convention’s objective of exploring new avenues in the global culinary including emerging restaurant trends in Sri Lankan cuisine and the influence of food and travel bloggers in hospitality.

“From exotic wildlife to delicious food and a serene coastline to amazing shopping, Sri Lanka is a traveller’s paradise destination. While the objective of the convention is to familiarize and update our fraternity with the international tourism trends and best practices, we want to also learn and take home the ways and charms of Sri Lankan hospitality. We also wish to thank the Hon’ble Sri Lankan Consul General for gracing the event,” says Mr Dilip Datwani, President, HRAWI.

Kumar De Silva, Chairman, Sri Lanka Convention Bureau, Sanath Ukwatte, President of Hotel Association of Sri Lanka, Aravinda De Silva – Deputy Chairman, Ideal Motors Pvt. Ltd, John Amaratunga – Minister of Tourism Development and Christian Religious Affairs and Taranjit Singh Sandhu, Hon’ble High Commissioner, High Commission of India will be the distinguished dignitaries for the opening evening at the convention.

“The second day will begin with a city tour paired with a lunch at a local restaurant followed by traditional performance and a rendition of both the national anthems later in the evening at the Hilton Grand Ball Room. The third day will be dedicated to business and networking with four different sessions on the various aspects of hotel operations, food and travel bloggers, hotel interior trends and emerging restaurant trends & emerging trends in Sri Lankan cuisine. Other than for business and networking, The Hilton has designed a special Spouses Programme which involves a tea session with pairing of Sri Lankan food and the third morning will be dedicated to shopping at the famous Odel Shopping Mall,” said Dinesh Advani, Convention Chairman & past President, HRAWI.

Post-convention the Association has designed two tours options – for two nights, three days and for three nights, four days. The tour choices include visiting Kandy, Peradeniya, and Bentota and will also include a visit to the Sacred Tooth Relic temple.

“We look forward to experiencing the mix of British colonial heritage, serene landscapes, delectable cuisines and the warmth of Sri Lankan hospitality,” concluded Datwani.