October 14, Colombo (LNW): In a significant boost to Sri Lanka’s presence on the global tourism stage, Expo Leisure has achieved a landmark victory at the 2025 World Travel Awards, emerging as one of the first companies from the island nation to claim major accolades in both the inbound and outbound travel sectors.
The company’s travel arms—Classic Travel and Classic Destinations—were honoured for their outstanding contributions to the tourism industry during the Asia & Oceania Gala Ceremony, which took place on 13 October in Hong Kong. The event, regarded as one of the most prestigious in the global travel calendar, draws leading hospitality and tourism operators from across the region.
Classic Travel was recognised as Sri Lanka’s Travel Agency of the Year for 2025, marking its second consecutive win in the category. Meanwhile, Classic Destinations secured the award for Destination Management Company of the Year, highlighting the group’s strength in curating memorable and seamlessly managed travel experiences for international visitors to Sri Lanka.
Receiving the awards on behalf of the company, Sabry Bahaudeen—Chief Commercial Officer and Director of the Expo Leisure Cluster—expressed gratitude and pride, noting that the recognition reflects years of dedication, innovation, and a firm commitment to service excellence. He added that the honours serve not only as a celebration of corporate success but as a moment of pride for the entire Sri Lankan travel industry.
“Our mission has always been to place Sri Lanka firmly on the map as both a vibrant tourist destination and a trusted travel services hub,” Bahaudeen said following the ceremony. “These awards validate the hard work of our teams and our continued investment in raising the bar for travel services both within and beyond our borders.”
The accolades are expected to further strengthen Expo Leisure’s international reputation and reinforce Sri Lanka’s appeal as a destination capable of delivering world-class travel experiences amidst a competitive global market.
