PTG Organization:
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A Rich Heritage In Travel |
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Regarded as a pioneering travel dynasty, the Nanayakkara family has been at the forefront of travel and tourism for almost 75 years. For three generations it has steadfastly forged a reputation second to none in the travel and tourism industry inside multiple world regions, and set recognized standards for the travel profession.
The family involvement of travel began with Charles Nanayakkara, who in 1945 following the after-math of the World War II took over a foreign British company by the name of Bernard Lewis, and thus began a family legacy which would leave its mark on international travel. With vision and immeasurable dedication over the generations, the family association with travel accumulated from strength to strength as its forthcoming travel enterprises progressed and maneuvered its way through miles of transportation and contingents of tourists, in the process opening tourism for a number of countries. Until today, the success of the family owned business has been its credibility, efficient service and commitment to travel excellence which has satisfied clients over the many decades. In the 1950’s and 1960’s the Nanayakkara family in an unconventional step of the era, turned its attention toward facilitating the opening of new outbound tourism destinations in non-traditional markets. It established partnerships lasting over 50 years with the leading Eastern European travel operators; Imholz (Germany), Ibusz (Hungary), Cedock (Czech Republic), Orbis (Poland), Putnik (Yugoslavia), and Intourist (USSR); the world’s largest government owned travel organization. It later went to become one of the few foreign companies approved to have offices inside the iron curtain, including an office in Moscow. |
With Prime Minister Pierre Trudeau in Canadian Parliament
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The family’s involvement in travel and tourism expanded in the 1970’s without limitation propelled by a passion of innovation and advancement. In the mid 1970’s the family, helmed by second generation Rohan Nanayakkara, opened offices in Montreal on the behest of Canadian Prime Minister Pierre Elliot Trudeau. The family initially was awarded ticketing agency for the Montreal Olympic Games and subsequently went to provide outbound travel to Israel, England, France, Morocco and Tunisia for Eastern Canada.
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In the 1990’s the family headed a business coalition which introduced Hydrofoil Services for mass passenger transport in the Maldives Islands providing the fastest transport service by sea to the Maldives. At the same time the family introduced a new passenger air service in South East Asia.
In the 2000’s the Nanayakkara family expanded its presence in Canada with the opening of an award winning travel company in Toronto founded by Thanushka Nanayakkara a third generation industry leader of the family. The brand under his stewardship became well established in North America for the destinations it serves, and recommended by major travel trade and consumer media. |
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In 2016 the family consolidated its European presence with a new office created in Hungary overseeing corporate growth in the Central European Union region. The Nanayakkara family have received many awards and accolades for their achievement and continued contributions to the progress of the travel industry.
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At the Hungarian Parliament with speaker László Kövér
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Members of the family have also participated on government travel regulatory boards, chaired government tourism boards, national travel agency associations and presided over prestigious international travel agency associations, such as the United Federation of Travel Agents Associations (UFTAA). Headquartered in Monaco UFTAA represents the international travel trade associations’ interests in the global arena and is a consultative member on tourism policy to the United Nations.
With its sights set on setting the bar higher for the travel industry in the 21st century, the Nanayakkara family continues to take strides in support of development of the travel sector through various worldwide investment initiatives. |