SLTB to refurbish Bentota Resort
A.G. Piyadasa
FACE-LIFT: Bentota Resort, the first ever planned tourist resort in
Sri Lanka designed by renowned architect Geoffrey Bawa 35 years ago, is
to get a facelift.
One of the new strategies implemented by the Sri Lanka Tourist Board
(SLTB) to enhance the quality of tourist arrivals to Sri Lanka, is to
position Sri Lanka among up market clientele by developing its products
to suit the new demands.
In line with this strategy, the Sri Lanka Tourist Board embarked on a
refurbishment programme of Bentota Resort. The first phase of the work
was inaugurated by Anura Bandaranaike, Minister of Tourism. Minister
said that this development will trickle down to all stakeholders in the
tourist industry in and around Bentota.
The total programme consists of developing a Sri Lanka Travel and
Tourism School, a new shopping area for the display and sale of
handicrafts and souvenirs, aesthetically pleasing structure at the
entrance to the resort, well-equipped marina and water sports centre,
sea plane landing pier, luxury model holiday Bungalows, new restaurants,
developing of roads, illumination of the beach and proper parking areas
with necessary rest facilities for taxies and trishaw drivers.
The Chairman Sri Lanka Tourist Board Udaya Nanayakkara said the
importance of focusing on tourism marketing of our beaches since they
are island's main tourist attractions. |