The Galle Face Hotel Management Group announced today that it will partner with Luxe Asia and Khiri Travel to create the latest destination management company in Sri Lanka. The joint venture named Khiri Travel Sri Lanka will be a member of The Galle Face Hotel Management group which owns and operates the Galle Face Hotel, Ceylon Hotels Corporation (CHC) and Kandy Hotels (Queen’s Hotel and Hotel Suisse). The official announcement of the partnership was made at a press conference held at the newly opened Galle Face Hotel meeting and conference facility.

Commenting on this historic partnership, Chairman Galle Face Hotel Group/Luxe Asia Sanjeev Gardiner noted, “With the Khiri Group’s presence and excellent customer service and our unparalleled knowledge of the Sri Lankan inbound tourism market, I am convinced that Khiri Travel Sri Lanka will become the market leader in the luxury tourism segment in a relatively short period of time. The refurbishment of our CHC properties and the Galle Face Hotel in particular will complement the needs of Khiri Travel Sri Lanka.”

Luxe Asia is a regional destination management company (DMC) handling inbound tourists from globally generating markets in to Sri Lanka. Established in August 2009, Luxe Asia is one of the leading companies in the inbound travel market in Sri Lanka. The intimate local market knowledge and commitment to world class services which is the ethos of Luxe Asia will be complimented by the global standing of the Khiri Group within the travel industry. The Khiri Travel Group is a regional leader in the sustainable hospitality and travel business. Founded in Bangkok in 1993 by CEO Willem Niemeijer, Khiri has DMC offices in Thailand, Cambodia, Vietnam, Laos, Myanmar and Indonesia and has a proven track record of success in all of these countries and are confident of replicating this success in Sri Lanka.

Meanwhile Founder CEO of the Khiri Travel Willem Niemeijer who is in the island for the launch said “There are clear cultural and historical ties between Sri Lanka and many of the other Khiri destinations in Southeast Asia. The rich cultural heritage of Sri Lanka, its varied and beautiful scenery, many nature-based responsible travel options, and the amazing Maldives, all make Khiri Travel Sri Lanka a very exciting proposition. Khiri Travel is about offering authentic travel experiences in a responsible, sustainable way for all stakeholders. Luxe Asia’s commitment to the delivery of the highest quality of services and the Galle Face Hotel Management Group’s love for preserving the country’s heritage.

Backed by the illustrious expertise of the Galle Face Hotel group, a particular emphasis of Khiri Travel Sri Lanka will be the development of the luxury travel segment to Sri Lanka and the Maldives and leveraging on the strength of the Khiri Group in markets such as the USA, Netherlands, Germany and the UK.

Both the global and local parties involved in the partnership were keen to emphasise the importance of top level personalised service, which they feel will drive the new venture. “We have employed agents who have both experience and fluency in handling this segment of tourism. They have a better idea than anyone else of what our clients will expect from a trip to Sri Lanka and the Maldives and our aim is to make this trip as memorable and hassle free as possible”, concluded Chaminda Dias, Managing Director of Luxe Asia.

About the Galle Face Hotel: The Galle Face Hotel is an award winning heritage hotel located at the heart of Colombo, Sri Lanka, which is steeped in the unique history of Sri Lanka amidst tradition and family values. It is probably the only Hotel in the world which has a setting of a sea front city Hotel combined with the features of a beachside resort together grandeur and elegance of the bygone era of Sri Lanka. Celebrating 150 years, the Galle Face Hotel is one of the landmarks in Asia with a historical past that speaks of the historical significance of Sri Lanka.

Today, the Galle Face Hotel is acclaimed as one of the best heritage Hotels in Sri Lanka and in 2012 it became the first Hotel in the country to be featured on a postage stamp.

The old world charm of the Hotel harks back to a vintage when Aristocracy and celebrities spent their days in pampered luxury, and sipped their tea while enjoying the magnificent sunset over the Indian Ocean. Over the years, many Heads of State and celebrities have graced the Hotel, charmed by its eclectic mix of imperial tradition, architecture and flavor.

“The hotel is currently undertaking an ambitious restoration project restoring the Hotel’s rooms, restaurants and the ballrooms to their former glory with subtle modernization to enhance the quality of The Galle Face Hotel experience. The Hotel is intrinsically linked to the history and heritage of Sri Lanka, and the project is guided by an uncompromising commitment to preserve the unique ambience for guests to enjoy.”

About the Galle Face Hotel Group: The Galle Face Hotel Group manages the hotel and leisure interest of The Galle Face Hotel, Kandy Hotels PLC & Ceylon Hotels Corporation PLC.

Under this banner are 3 distinct portfolios of businesses.

The Deluxe Heritage Hotels Collection: The Galle face hotel in Colombo & Hotel Suisse & Queens Hotel in Kandy.

Each hotel is a connected to Sri Lanka's history, imbibed with the splendor of yesteryear while continuing to serve visitors, foreign and domestic is gracious surrounds.

The Resorts Collection: 4 hotels routed in some of Sri Lankas most special areas offer a modern facility with outstanding vista & access to experience this great country.

The Lake Hotel Polonnaruwa, The Surf Hotel Bentota, The Safari Hotel Thissamaharama and The Lake House Polonnaruwa.

Each of these recently refurbished hotels offers traditional Sri Lankian hospitality to visitors.

The Heritage Rest House Collection: The quaint surroundings steeped with the enchantment of Sri Lanka’s colonial heritage are the key elements of the Heritage Rest Houses that comprise of 12 properties around the island, Ambepussa, Pussellawa, Kitulgala, Belihuloya, Ella, Hanwella, Dambulla, Sigiriya, Habarana, Mihintale, Medawachchiya, and Weligama.

Intimate traditional accommodation, in colonial bungalows, all with outstanding local cuisine is ideal bases from which to travel and explore Sri Lanka.

Photo caption: Mr. Sanjeev Gardiner (left) and Mr. Willem Neimeijer