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September 21, 2025The nineth South Asian Travel Awards (SATA) began in Colombo, Sri Lanka, on September 19, 2025, with the pre-event SATA Connect & Conversations (SATA C&C) at the ornate Cinnamon Grand Colombo. This luxurious venue became the buzz of the tourism scene, gathering hospitality giants from every South Asian corner in one place. SATA C&C is more than just a talk shop; it’s a high-energy networking space where top hotels, glamorous resorts, leading airlines, and standout travel agencies present their freshest ideas and offerings. Attendees get the chance to touch, taste, and talk about each product, turning casual meetings into potential partnerships.SATA C&C proved to be a vital hub for industry professionals, offering a prime opportunity for direct engagement and knowledge-sharing. Suraj Khan, the Vice President of SATA, officially opened the event, followed by a warm welcome from Mr. Buddhika Hewawasam, the Chairman of the Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority (SLTDA). A key feature of the event was the recognition of SATA’s hospitality partners who contributed immensely by hosting jury members during the evaluation phase of SATA 2025. This acknowledgment underscored the collaborative spirit and shared commitment to excellence within the South Asian tourism industry.Advertisement Panel Discussions on the Future of TourismThe day continued with two insightful panel discussions, which provided a platform for industry leaders to share their perspectives on the evolving landscape of tourism in the region.The first panel focused on the future of hospitality, delving into topics such as guest experiences, technology advancements, and revenue management strategies. Esteemed panelists included Ugyen Tenzin, President of the Hotels & Restaurants Association of Bhutan (HRAB), Dinesh Hettiarachchi, Group General Manager at Mandarina Colombo & Marine Bay Colombo, and Nazoomi Azhar, General Manager of Cinnamon Grand Colombo, among others. The discussion explored the increasing role of technology in shaping guest interactions and the growing emphasis on sustainable tourism in the South Asian hospitality sector.AdvertisementThe second panel centred on the collaborative efforts required to advance regional tourism. It …
