Hoteliers must be concerned ecologists

Charumini DE SILVA

Name in full: Nawalage Joseph Hiran Mahinda Cooray

Civil status: Married, has three sons

School attended: St. Joseph's College, Colombo

Professional qualification:

Bachelor in Marketing and Administration, North Carolina University.

Sports: Cricket

Sri Lanka is enriched with its natural beauty, which has around 47 percent greenery. We should be more conscious about our natural attractiveness as it is one of the important strengths. There is a huge prospect for green travel where beaches, wildlife and mountains are concerned. Not many countries can boast about it. During this new era in the country, where the Government has also given much prominence to the tourism industry as industrialists we must invest in various new projects to support the country to reach the next level of development, Jetwing Hotels Chairman Hiran Cooray told Daily News Business in an interview

Here are excerpts of the interview.

Q: How did you enter the industry?

A: This a family oriented business. We started the venture in 1972 with a hotel in Negombo. I joined the business soon after my graduation and I have been in the industry for 23 years now.

Q: What are the opportunities available for industrialists in tourism?

A: With the restoration of peace and economic stability in the country there are ample opportunities for industrialists.

The tourism industry is extremely pleased with the prospects presented, where the industrialists have much confidence to develop new products and services to offer elite experiences for the guests.

Q: What are the challenges you face in the industry?

A: Many. As examples Government taxation, passenger levy, increase in fuel prices, international challenges, diseases, cost of finance, increase in food prices and many others. Recently the United Kingdom announced a passenger levy for long holidays and these types of decisions directly impact on emerging industries like us since UK is one of the top markets that we focus on. However, the reduction in interest rates in the domestic market encourages the entire investment portfolio of the country.

Q: What strategies should Sri Lanka adopt to uplift the industry?

A: Sri Lanka is enriched with its natural beauty, which has around 47 percent greenery. We should be more conscious about our natural attractiveness as it is one of the important strengths. There is a huge prospect for green travel where beaches, wildlife and mountains are concerned.

Not many countries can boast about it. During this new era in the country, where the Government has also given much prominence to the tourism industry as industrialists we must invest in various new projects to support the country to the next level. It is important that hoteliers be more concerned about ecological sustainability and trends and needs of travellers while setting up new hotels and reconstructing.

The accessibility for disabled single parents and independent traveller segments has to be addressed immediately since they expect more hospitality. Sri Lanka has the potential be a role model in renewable energy.

However, all these activities should also contribute to the benefit of our local community too.

Q: How many hotels does Jetwing Group have at present?

A: At present we have ten hotels and the company is planning to set up eight new hotels. So with these new eight hotels the company completes its portfolio with 18 hotels.

Q: What are the new projects that the company has embarked on?

A: Apart from setting up new hotels, we have also commenced re-constructing several hotels with added facilities to cater to the increasing number of tourist arrivals. The company is building and will be the managers of a luxury hotel in Luang Prabang, Laos. We also deal with another two hotels in Vietnam and New Zealand.

Q: How many jobs have been created through your hotels?

A: We have created over 2, 000 direct employment while ensuring 6,000 indirect employment. With eight new hotels coming up we will create more job opportunities. At present there is a positive trend with graduates joining the hotel sector. This is very encouraging. More graduates entering into the industry will facilitate in having qualified management in the hotel sector.

Q: What is your advice to young entrepreneurs?

A: They are very lucky since they have entered into the business world when the country is much stabilized and strongly focused on achieving a sustainable growth.

We did not have better economic conditions like today. It is timely that they should join the playing field and seize the opportunities available.

Q: What is your philosophy in life?

A: I strongly believe in God. Therefore, I think I could do anything with God.

Q: What are the places you like to visit most in Sri Lanka?

A: I like Yala for its green and rich wildlife experience. I also like to visit Sigiriya and Polonnaruwa since the architecture in these places are really enchanting and motivating. They were built thousands of years back, yet the creativity, technology, irrigation systems are absolute marvels to this day.

Q: Which countries and places do you like to visit most?

A: Luang Prabang in Laos and New Zealand.

Q: What do you do in your leisure?

A: I read, play cricket with my sons, walk and engage in bird watching.