SriLankan Airlines has been announced as the airline sponsor of World Travel Awards’ upcoming Asia & Australasia Gala Ceremony 2017.World Travel Awards founder, Graham Cooke, welcomed the news in the run up to the inaugural event of the 2017 Grand Tour which will take place at the luxury Grand Kempinski Hotel Shanghai on Sunday June 4th.He said: “World Travel Awards are delighted to welcome SriLankan Airlines into the WTA family. “Following the news that SriLankan Airlines carried the highest number of passengers in the airline’s history during 2016/17, there couldn’t be a better time for the brand to become part of our journey.“We’re very grateful to SriLankan Airlines for their support.”Launched in 1979, SriLankan Airlines is an award-winning carrier that has built up a reputation for being a global leader in service, comfort, safety, reliability and punctuality.The national airline of Sri Lanka is currently expanding and further diversifying its wide range of products and services, in order to drive the country’s on-going boom in tourism and economic development.“It has already announced plans to add three new destinations in India from summer 2017, thereby becoming the largest foreign airline in India.World Travel Awards was established in 1993 to acknowledge, reward and celebrate excellence across all sectors of the tourism industry.Today, the World Travel Awards brand is recognised globally as the ultimate hallmark of quality with winners setting the benchmark to which all others aspire.Saminda Perera, general manager, marketing, SriLankan Airlines, said: “SriLankan Airlines considers it a privilege to be associated with World Travel Awards, as its partner airline and official sponsor.“This agreement will allow us to promote SriLankan Airlines to the global travel industry’s leaders and shakers. We look forward to welcoming WTA delegates on board our flights.”Each year World Travel Awards covers the globe with a series of regional gala ceremonies staged to recognise and celebrate individual and collective success within each key geographical region.World Travel Awards Gala Ceremonies are widely regarded as the best networking opportunities in the travel industry, attended by government and industry leaders, luminaries and international print and broadcast media.For more information about World Travel Awards, please visit the official website.OlderDominica welcomes sharp increase in visitors in first quarterNewerMartell appointed chief executive at Onyx Hospitality