Travel

Competitive offers to purchase Kani Lanka resort

Shirajiv Sirimane

Sale: Two local companies and a French based tour operator have shown interest to purchase Kani Lanka Resort and Spa, the five star resort in Kalutara which is to be shut down in March. The hotel, which is owned and operated by Maldivian company Kani Lanka Resort has reported loss of over US 2.7 million since they reopened the resort after the tsunami last year.

Soon after the tsunami the management invested US $ 3 million to renovate the hotel, which was badly damaged, and a further US S 2.7 million to refurbish the hotel. "This is the reason for the Maldivian group to pull out from Sri Lanka," said the financial controller of the Group Prassnna Gamlath.

"In addition Galle Face Hotel group too is presently negotiating to manage a property while Club Met of France too has shown interest for the property," he said.

Asked what would be the outcome for the 180 employees of the hotel he said that they would be paid compensation and a priority would be given to them when the hotel reopens.

The hotel group also owns hotels in the Maldives and is investing US $ 40 million to build the new resort in the Maldives.

Bay Beach Weligama to invest Rs. 35 m for upgrading

Shirajiv Sirimane

Investment: BOT hotels will be investing Rs. 35 million to upgrade Bay Beach Hotel Weligama. They are also hoping to obtain the three star classification by the end of the year.

Director General Manager, BOT hotels, Hashini Pathirana, said that they have already completed nearly 90 percent of the refurbishment. "We will complete the refurbishing of the entire hotel for the next winter season," she said.

She said that they have very good corporate and conference market and they will be also upgrading their conference facilities. "We have received many bookings and this was the reason for us to go in for the refurbishment," she said.

She said that their partners Chairman Ocean Shipping Lines, Lester Weiman, Chairman Ceylon Shipping Lines, Upatissa Jayasinghe and General Manager Lakshman Udukumburage too are assisting them in this regard.

The founder Chairman of the company, Lal Kulasekera originally built the hotel in 1982 with 34 rooms. "He saw the beauty in the location and the potential for water sports and decided to convert the old coconut estate to a three star property," she said.

Since then the management had further invested to add 26 rooms which offers 24-hour room service, bar service, laundry, taxi, herbal massage, internet and e-mail service, facsimile and telex service and a 24-hour reception.

The diving school with PADI certificate, swimming pool, floodlit tennis court and the private beach are some of the other major attractions in the hotel.

She said that they are also planning to reinvest in their sister hotel Nilani Lodge, which is a city hotel in Ratnapura. "We are already selling duel packages and we are now looking at expanding the conference facilities and add 10 more rooms," she said.

Resident Manager of Bay Beach Weligama, Musthy Mohamed said that they are offering special packages for locals with special discounts on the overall bill.

"This is something novel to the industry as we give a surprise discount when groups are checking out," he said.

World Travel Centre joins with foreign partners to promote adventure tourism

TIE UP: World Travel Centre Colombo (WTC) has tied up with two foreign partners, Lama Desert tours and cruises (LLC) Dubai and The Signature Crest of India to promote inbound, outbound, sports and adventure tourism. managing Director, WTC, Sudam de Silva said that there is an increased trend of both inbound and outbound travel by Sri Lankans and this was one reason for them to extend to both Dubai and India.

"To cater to the domestic tourism demand we introduced Seat-in-Coach tours in this country and also focused on the corporate sector in order to arrange conferences, day outings or any other official or private travel," he said.

"Now WTC will move into a new era having extended its operations further with the launch of its International Hotel Marketing arm. Company will own its first foreign branch at Mumbai in India, "Travelorg" which exclusively promotes Sri Lanka in future.

Managing Partner Lama Group Kulawant Singh said that they would also promote Sri Lankan packages in Dubai, as they like to travel to Sri Lanka.

"Sri Lankan history, cheap shopping, hotels, night life and the beaches are some of the attractions for them," he said.

LAMA Group comprises four companies, Lama Desert Tourism and Cargo Lama Holidays, Lama Dubai-Floating Restaurant and Lama Safari and Cruise and this tie up enables Sri Lankans to use these facilities.

Partner The Signature Crest, K. Venkertesh said that the Indian outbound market is 15 million and they would promote for Indian corporate events to be held in Sri Lanka.

The company, which is a fast growing company in the hospitality industry, provides well-furnished service apartments with all the amenities to corporate travellers and families, combining business with pleasure. "Sri Lankans travelling to India can now stay in these apartments and can enjoy a special personal touch with security of a luxury hotel," he said.