Dutch Bay Resort to begin work

US $ 2 billion hotel in Kalpitiya:

Harshini Perera

The Dutch Bay Resort in Kalpitiya will start their groundwork construction this month.

A Water Sport project will commence construction immediately, Kalpitiya Integrated Tourism Resort Project, Additional Project Director Tissa Sooriyagoda told Daily News Business.

Dutch Bay resort will be a star class hotel with 210 rooms. It has received permission from all authorities and the ground-work will start without delay.

The investment for Dutch Bay Resort is directed from Bahrain which is Rs 2 billion. The project is expected to finish construction in November 2011. This hotel will provide 600 job opportunities after completion.

The Water Sport project is expected to start construction outside the Kalpitiya tourism development area but within the Kalpitiya zone.

Element’s (Pvt) Ltd has directed Rs 100 million for the twenty-seven luxury bungalows which will be constructed under this Water Sports project.

There will be 50 job opportunities generated by this resort and it will conclude construction by the end of 2011.

“This resort will cater to the general market and targets water sports enthusiasts. Many water sport facilities such as sky surfing, wind surfing and boat services will be available for visitors,” he said.

Kalpitiya tourist resorts will cater to 500,000 international tourists and it is expected too increase the number by 150,000 for the winter season this year.

Sooriyagoda said the Kalpitiya tourist resorts could fill this demand with the available facilities in Kalpitiya.

Local tourist interest has been taken away from Kalpitiya to other areas such as Northern and Eastern areas.

“This is a good sign as local tourist interest is spreading to other areas.”

“We are in the process of developing facilities for local tourists as well. We have recently seen emerging markets from Middle-East, China and India rather than the traditional markets of UK, Germany and France,” Sooriyagoda said.