A unique partnership: Classic Travel and Funtime launch Classic Funtime

Funtime Founder Imran Saibo (left) and Expolanka Group CEO Hanif Yusoof

The travel and leisure industry and the event production business saw the birth of a new phenomenon, when Classic Travel partnered with Showbiz veteran Imran Saibo of Funtime to launch Classic Funtime. 

The brainchild of Classic Travel Managing Director Saif Yusoof, who recognised the opportunity of combining the two power houses will now offer new experiences in both business and leisure travel along with entertainment and conference options in one total solution. 

At a glittering evening held at the Hilton Colombo ballroom, Classic Funtime was launched amidst leading corporate and travel heads, Government dignitaries and the well-known artists of Sri Lanka’s showbiz world. 

Classic Travel – a leading provider of corporate travel solutions in the country, has come a long way since it was started by current Expolanka Group CEO Hanif Yusoof. Speaking at the launch, Yusoof said that Classic Funtime was a move in the right direction and in line with the Group’s vision to focus and expand within its sectors. 

He added: “The potential of such an alliance is obvious when considering the growing MICE market. This collaboration of Classic with its strong corporate travel base and Funtime with its creative talents in the field of corporate entertainment means that we are going a step further in offering complete leisure and lifestyle solutions.”

Classic Travel is a part of Expolanka Holdings PLC whose interests cover logistics, leisure and ventures and spans a global network of 20 countries in Asia, Africa, Middle East and the USA. Classic Travel Ltd., incorporated in 1994, is an IATA accredited travel agent based in Colombo with an extensive branch network in Hambantota, Galle, Ratnapura, Bangladesh and in the Maldives. It is the only agency in Sri Lanka to be open 24 hours, 365 days of the year and has established a fully-fledged Visa office to offer comprehensive Visa services. The company was among the 25 ‘Great Places to Work’, both in 2015 as well as 2016.

Funtime Ltd., an event production company, has been a pioneer in all things related to events and showbiz, and since its inception built up a reputation for its professionalism and creativity setting industry benchmarks for events in the country. While probably being among the few event companies to date that has traversed the globe, Funtime has embraced and introduced technological trends ranging from video mapping at iconic landmarks to organising conferences comparable to global events in terms of concept and management. 

At the heart of Funtime is Imran Saibo, considered one of the pioneers in the industry and the man responsible for bringing professionalism and expertise to corporate events. An economics graduate and a sure-fire candidate for a career in banking, a short stint in advertising led him to set up Funtime in 1989, who have since then conceptualised and executed  dazzling productions and star studded events, the likes of which had never before been seen in Sri Lanka.

“With the amalgamation of Classic and Funtime, we are building a formidable combination of travel, leisure and entertainment solutions. As a team, we will offer a complete one stop shop to the MICE market, destination weddings and the event arena which includes corporate entertainment, while also collaborating on new projects that leverage on our respective strengths,” said Saibo.