The travel industry is constantly evolving and navigating challenging headwinds. Economic shifts, technological advancements, and changing consumer expectations require companies to adapt and refine their strategies. Acorn Group responds to these challenges by leveraging market research and client feedback to shape its approach.
Travellers have different priorities. Business travellers seek efficiency and reliability to minimize disruptions to their work, while leisure travellers look for experiences tailored to their interests and destinations. To address these distinct needs, Acorn Group established two specialized organizations: Acorn Travels and Acorn Prime Destinations, each led by women with exceptional records in the industry.
Acorn Travels specializes in corporate travel, offering end-to-end solutions under the leadership of Chamila Wijethunge, from business travel management and MICE (Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, and Events) to last-minute travel arrangements, ensuring seamless experiences. Established in 1973 and IATA-accredited, Acorn Travels operates offices in Colombo, Kandy, and Nawala, delivering structured, cost-effective travel solutions. Acorn Travels is on a mission to provide corporate clients with peace of mind, recognizing that managing travel logistics is the last thing they want to deal with amid their busy schedules. From flights to accommodation, every detail is aligned with their objectives, ensuring a hassle-free experience.
In addition to corporate travel, Acorn Travels proudly serves as the General Sales Agent (GSA) in Sri Lanka for leading global travel brands, including Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines, Celebrity Cruises, Avalon Waterways River Cruises, Cosmos Coach Tours, Silversea and Globus Coach Tours, offering unparalleled cruise and tour experiences to travellers.
Acorn Prime Destinations caters to leisure travellers. Led by Victoria Seneviratne, it offers fixed-departure group tours and customized itineraries tailored to individual preferences by blending cultural immersion, convenience, and activities aligned with client expectations. Acorn Prime Destinations aims to create exciting and inspiring journeys for leisure travellers, offering personalized service that caters to their specific interests and preferences.
Success in the travel industry depends on strong leadership and navigating uncertainty. The directors of Acorn Travels and Acorn Prime Destinations bring experience, adaptability, and strategic insight to their roles, shaping their companies to meet evolving travel demands. Their perspectives provide insight into the leadership strategies, industry challenges, and key decisions that drive success.
Chamila Wijethunge: Resilience and Continuous Improvement
Resilience has been key to my career growth. I started as an executive and worked my way up, gaining experience at every stage. Adapting to changes, staying focused on long-term goals, and maintaining a hands-on approach have shaped my leadership. Whether analysing market trends, guiding my team, or making critical business decisions, I focus on solutions that align with business objectives and customer needs.
Leadership in the travel industry requires a proactive approach. Frequent changes in airline policies, visa regulations, and customer demands create uncertainty, making quick decision-making and a customer-first mindset essential. I focus on strengthening collaboration across departments, improving efficiency and creating cross-selling opportunities. Data-driven insights are essential to enhancing our services, and we consistently assess our performance based on customer feedback. Crisis management has been another critical area, allowing us to navigate challenges effectively and earn industry recognition, including a place in LMD’s Most Respected Entities ranking.
Achieving excellence in this field stems from continuous improvement. Aligning team members with roles that match their strengths has led to better performance and higher job satisfaction.
We have leveraged omnichannel strategies to reach a broader audience, streamline operations, and set clear performance targets, ultimately enhancing efficiency. Staying ahead of travel trends ensures we provide relevant solutions, whether adapting to post-pandemic travel needs or identifying new customer segments.
Beyond Acorn Travels, I contribute to the industry as Junior Vice President of the Travel Agents Association of Sri Lanka (TAASL) and a Council Member of the IATA Agents Association of Sri Lanka (IAASL), working to address industry challenges and support growth.
Victoria Seneviratne: Vision, Agility and Innovation
Adaptability has defined my career. I started as a Junior Reservations Agent at Thai Airways with no prior experience but a strong willingness to learn. Each role—from Jetwing to Gabo Travels to Acorn Prime Destinations —was an opportunity to take on challenges and evolve with the industry. The ability to adapt to market shifts, make quick decisions, and embrace new opportunities has shaped my leadership.
Success in the travel industry requires more than operational efficiency; it is built on trust, relationships, and understanding client needs. Leisure travel customers are not just looking for transactions—they expect personalized service and long-term partnerships. A strong team culture plays a vital role in delivering this experience, and ensuring that my team is motivated, skilled, and aligned with our goals has been a key focus. Staying ahead of industry trends has also been critical, allowing us to anticipate market shifts and position ourselves effectively.
Leading Acorn Prime Destinations through a significant transition required clarity of vision and a sharp strategy. Following the management buyout of the Acorn Leisure Sector business from the Hemas Group, repositioning the company was a priority to ensure stability in a competitive landscape. Strengthening client engagement through personalized service helped increase customer loyalty and enhance our reputation. Navigating industry disruptions, particularly during the COVID-19 crisis, required agility and innovation to adjust to shifting market conditions. The travel industry is unpredictable, but success comes from having a clear strategy, a strong team, and the ability to solve problems efficiently.
The Road Ahead
The travel industry will continue to evolve, bringing both challenges and opportunities. Acorn Travels and Acorn Prime Destinations have adapted by staying agile, prioritizing customer needs, and leveraging strong leadership. Both organizations remain positioned for sustained growth in a competitive market through resilience, adaptability, and a commitment to innovation.