THAILAND’S KHIRI TRAVEL LAUNCHES JOINT VENTURE WITH LUXE ASIA
The Galle Face Hotel Management Group a regional destination management company (DMC) Luxe Asia has teamed up with Thailand-based Khiri Travel to create the latest DMC in the country—Khiri Travel Sri Lanka.
The new venture 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 including Queen’s and Suisse Hotels.
Luxe Asia, established in 2009 is one of the in-inbound travel management companies in Sri Lanka and Khiri Travel is a regional leader in the sustainable hospitality and travel business, founded in Bangkok in 1993.
“With the Khiri Group’s presence along with their excellent customer service and our unparalleled knowledge of the Sri Lankan inbound tourism market, Khri Travel Sri Lanka will become a market leader in the luxury tourism in no time,” Chairman of Galle Face Hotel Management Group/ Luxe Asia, Sanjeev Gardiner said.
Speaking about the new venture, the Chief Financial Officer of Khiri Travel, Mark D. Remijan said although the initial investment was minimum, it would be increased and added so that they would put their leverage in the venture with its global network.
“The Galle Face Hotel Management Group and Luxe Asia has majority shares in the venture but we also have a fairly equal partnership in it,” he noted.
Luxe Asia Managing Director Chaminda Dias said their agents have a better idea than anyone else of what their clients expect from a trip to Sri Lanka and also Maldives. He said there aim is to make tours as memorable and hassle-free as possible.
Luxe Asia was established five years ago as a fully owned subsidiary of Expolanka Group and in January this year it was bought by Ceylon Hotel Holdings, which owns and operates Galle Face Green Hotel as well as Ceylon Hotel Corporation.