South Asian Travel Awards

JURY



Mr. Abdul Latheef (2016 - 2017)

Mr. Abdul Latheef, Co Founder and President of SME & Entrepreneurs Federation. He has worked on policy boards for MATI, MATATO, MNCCI, labor advisory, Customs, Airport , Destination Marketing. Received special award from the government for service rendered to sustainable development of tourism with a history of work on Hotel Operations, Passenger Sales, Health and Wellness.


 

Mr Don Rufus Lal Leanage (2016 - 2017)

Mr Don Rufus Lal Leanage being the Last General Manager of IHG, Intercontinental Colombo represented himself in the jury sharing his experience and knowledge.

 


Mr. Jose Joseph (2016 - 2017)

Mr. Jose Joseph from Holiday KERALA and among the owners of Leia Cruise Houseboat set on the jury with his over 20 years of experience based on multiple entries to the brand from South India.

 


 

Ms. Amal Goonetilleke (2018-2019)

Over 3 decades of experience in the field of Tourism and hospitality specialized in Sales and Marketing for hotels and resorts. A Marketing Consultant to hospitality companies with local and International affiliations.  She is also presently the CEO - The Hotels Association of Sri Lanka, the apex body of the entire hotel industry in Sri Lanka. She is well versed with multiple disciplines of Sales and Marketing across global markets and segments such as Corporate, MICE, Leisure, Revenue Management etc. and creating sales and marketing solutions for star class hotels to top end luxury boutique resorts. She is recognized and respected as one of the leaders in the sales and marketing hospitality space in the country.

 


Ms Rinku Madan (2018-2019)

Ms Rinku Madan. She completed her studies in Global Journalism at the Harvard University, in the area of Global Luxury. She had earlier studied at the French Culinary Institute in New to certify in the arena of Food Writing. She has also recently studied ‘Sparkling wine making’ with one of India’s leading Winery. She was the Editor of ‘Times Nightlife Guide’ and writes weekly columns at The Economic Times andThe Sunday Times and BBC Good Food Guide.

 


Ms Hinna Khalid (2018)

Ms Hinna Khalid, a Professional consultant, Researcher, Lecturer and writer who has contributed immensely in Educating and empowering people. She did her Masters in Arts in Applied Social Research, at University of West of England- UK, Post Graduate Diploma in Social Science Research Methods in University of Bristol, Post Graduate Diploma in PHC Management at Mahidol University




Ms Sangeeta Rana (2019)

Ms. Sangeeta Rana is the Executive Director of the Hotel and Restaurant Association of Bhutan. She has several years of experience in the hospitality and tourism industry. She is also the board member of various tourism and private sector development boards, such as TDB, CTA, BSTS, HRDB and many more. She is extremely enthusiastic and passionate about developing the tourism industry and to work closely with all the tourism stakeholders around the world. She represents the exotic country, Bhutan, which believes in “Gross National Happiness”.



Mr Abdulla Suood (2019)

With more than 20 years’ experience in Sales & Marketing having worked in a Major Hotel Chain and establishing his own Travel Business, Mr.Suood stands firm in the Travel and Hospitality industry as a key voice. He also has been actively served in the Executive Board and as the Vice President of Maldives Association of Travel Agents & Tour Operators (MATATO). before being appointed as the President in the organization.

Mr.Suood has worked In partnership with international organizations such as PATA in hosting Maldives Travel Conference and Maldives Travel Awards annually for the hospitality industry. Mr.Suood is also among the co- founders of SME & Entrepreneurs Federation of Maldives (SEFM),