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Nishantha Jayasinghe
CEO
Travel agencies offer a comprehensive solution for all your travel requirements, managing every aspect of your trip, including flights, accommodations, sightseeing, car rentals, and other activities and Experiences. They ensure a smooth and enjoyable vacation experience, allowing you to travel without any concerns or hassles. At Luxury Holidays Asia, they ensure that every client's entire vacation revolves around their individual preferences. Recognizing that genuine luxury is subjective, the team personalizes each experience to be truly distinctive. Nishantha Jayasinghe, as the CEO of Luxury Holidays Asia, has consistently provided unwavering support to the company, dedicated to creating the most memorable experiences for their clients. During a close-knit interview, Nishantha opened up about both his personal and professional experiences, providing insights into the industry's current happenings.
Can you provide a concise overview of your professional history and experiences? Additionally, what drives your daily routines and keeps you motivated?
Starting my professional journey in 2007, I began working in the travel and tourism sector as a logistics coordinator at Aitken Spence, which is Sri Lanka's largest travel company. Over a period of eight years, I gained experience across various departments, including inbound tourism, cruise tourism, MICE, and eco-tourism.
In 2015, I assumed the role of market manager at NKAR Travels and Tours, one of the most prestigious Travel & Tourism companies. There, I was responsible for managing the inbound tourist market from China, Malaysia and few other countries. My team's contributions helped the company to become a top player in the sector, which significantly impacted Chinese inbound tourism to Sri Lanka from 2015-2018. Moving to Esna Holidays in 2018, I served as the Head of Operations and oversaw the establishment and growth of the company while managing the entire team dedicated to inbound tourism. Finally, I co-founded Luxury Holidays Asia, which aims to redefine luxury through authentic experiences. Our focus is on Sri Lanka and Maldives inbound tourism, and our vision is to become the most recommended travel company for these destinations. We prioritize quality over quantity and offer enriching experiences to global travelers.
With over 15 years in the industry, could you highlight the significant milestones in your journey and share your key principles for success?
My success is rooted in a steadfast commitment to discipline and attitude. Discipline, as the bedrock of everything, is instilled in both me and my teams. I firmly believe that discipline is crucial for empathy to have a meaningful impact. Upholding a disciplinedapproach, I prioritize punctuality and extend this expectation to my team. I also advocate for a healthy work-life balance, and emphasizing family well-being.
In 2013, I was among the Top 3 rank in the external Postgraduate Diploma in Travel and Tourism with CTH, UK, securing a scholarship for further studies at Glyndwr University London. Despite family responsibilities, I continued my education, earning an MBA and recently completed my CIM and Strategic Brand Management postgraduates. Currently, I am pursuing a MBM showcasing my ongoing commitment to continuous learning and professional development.
Describe Luxury Holidays Asia as a company and its standing in the market.
Luxury Holidays Asia caters to a diverse range of travelers, encompassing those seeking opulence in unique and authentic experiences, accommodations, luxury yachts, helicopters, and more. The company's concept of luxury extends beyond financial means, emphasizing that luxury is a personalized experience, whether it involves tranquility, adventure, or exploration. Acknowledging the shifting dynamics in consumer behavior, Luxury Holidays Asia aims to tap into these changes by providing authentic and memorable experiences. The organization is dedicated to crafting enduring memories for travelers. Regardless of budget considerations, the company prioritizes creating rich narratives and experiences for its clients. In the B2B realm, Luxury Holidays Asia encourages its partners to prioritize quality over pricing, positioning itself as a provider of authentic and high-quality travel experiences. In a short span, the company has successfully attracted a considerable number of tourists to Sri Lanka and Maldives, earning the trust and collaboration of B2B partners globally who share the vision of delivering exceptional holiday experiences to their clients.
Share insights into your leadership style. Explain the principles or methods you adhere to as a leader.
Instilling discipline is a top priority for me in my team. I emphasize the importance of maintaining discipline in both professional and personal aspects, as it serves as a foundation for adaptability. It enables team members to seamlessly integrate into external environments and navigate challenges effectively. Cultivating a disciplined approach also fosters efficiency, which ensures timely responses to external factors.
Alongside discipline, attitude plays a vital role in my leadership style. I encourage team members to have a positive and proactive attitude. Recognizing its impact on overall team dynamics and success, I believe having a good attitude is important. Empathy is a cornerstone of my leadership principles, which is complemented by team-building activities and events. These activities foster strong bonds among team members, aligning with our goal of creating memorable experiences in travel and tourism.
Could you provide insights into your future plans and strategic direction?
I aim to propel my company to the forefront, shifting from the current focus on small and medium-scale enterprises within Sri Lanka's tourism sector. I envision transforming into a major player in the industry for High quality services and authentic experiences across Asia. I recognize the time and effort required for substantial growth. Therefore, my mission is to lead the company to become a top-tier inbound tourism provider in all the operating regions, targeting a more discerning consumer base.
Nishantha Jayasinghe, CEO, Luxury Holidays Asia
Nishantha Jayasinghe passionately drives sustainable growth in the travel and tourism sector. He strategically evaluates and implements plans, maintaining ethical standards and governance. Proficient in impactful communication and adept networking, he builds mutually beneficial relationships.