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by Shirajiv Sirimane

The Jetwing Group of Hotels will invest Rs. 70 million to contract Sri Lanka's first purpose built Ayurveda Hotel, Jetwing Ayurveda Pavilion in Negombo and to construct a 'Spa' at the Lighthouse Hotel, in Galle. The projects will be financed with funds from the group.

The project at Negombo has already commenced, with three villas being completed. "We are hoping to complete the remaining 12 bungalows by October this year in time for the season," said the Managing Director Jetwing Hotels Ltd Hiran Cooray.

Speaking to the 'Daily News' he said that the property was acquired a long time ago. "We were waiting for the right climate to invest on this project."

He said that the novelty of this project would be the fact that each Villa would have its own Sauna and medication facilities needed for treatment. "In other Hotels one has to go to a common area for treatment . But at the 'Ayurveda Pavilion' the doctor will visit the guest and provide the treatment in the Villa itself," he said.

Mr. Cooray who was the only Sri Lankan to be elected to the Executive Committee of the Pacific Asia Travel Agents Association PATA said that each Villa would cost them Rs. 1.5 million. "In addition to the 15 Villas we will build a swimming pool, restaurant and a modern kitchen within the premises."

Mr. Cooray said the prime reason behind this project was the demand for herbal and Ayurveda treatment from western clients. He said that the two areas that would have a great demand in the tourism sector would be Eco tourism and the Ayurveda and Herbal treatment area. "We have already marketed the Villa and have managed to sell all the Villas for the season," said the Executive Director of Jetwing Hotels, Ruan Hettiarachchi.

He said that the Public Relations Manager of Blue Oceanic Hotel Negombo, Rukamani Fernando would be in charge of the Villa while there would be four Ayurveda doctors available on a 24-hour basis. "This villa will be opened for Sri Lankan clientele as well," he said.

Commanding on the travel industry Mr. Cooray said that the peace process and the lifting of power cuts would help the trade in a big way.

"We too went through a bad patch but believed in optimism. We added our flagsip, Hotel Lighthouse, Galle, during bad times against all odds. We spent Rs. 460 million on this venture which improved the image of the Southern city's capital Galle. I think it also helped the Galle stadium to gain Test status since one of the criteria for their classification is the availability of a five-star hotel in close proximity. Many people ventured into other areas but we remained in the industry and bought new properties such as Hunas Falls, Blue Water and Yala Game Village." he said.

He said that plans are under way to build a 'Spa' at the Lighthouse Hotel which is Sri Lanka's only Hotel which has the 'World's smallest luxury Hotels' category. "We are planning to spend nearly Rs. 20 million for this project which will also have a separate swimming pool."

He called up the authorities not to repeat the same mistake done in the South with regard to Tourism in the north-east. "The South tourism sector was not planned and we see unplanned development in the South. There are too many hotels in the same area which are not properly planned. There are also many other problems such as the dumping of garbage, Beach boy menace and the lack of a proper network of roads. "Authorities should follow the ADB funded study in the North East. Development should be based on that," he said. The 39-year-old director also said they are seriously thinking about developing a property they own at Nilaweli. "This has 42 rooms and we will take a decision in this regard after studying the peace process for some time," he said.

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