Taj hotels upbeat on Lanka’s potential

Rebranding hotels in progress:

Charumini de Silva

Sri Lanka is a very price attractive and competitive tourist destination in the world Indian Hotels Company Limited Senior Vice President Sales and Marketing Ajoy K Misra told Daily News Business. “Sri Lanka was one of the best tourist destinations in the sub continent even during the war. However with the restoration of peace the country has finally realized its real potential for tourism, as it is a holistic destination.

We already see a major market renewal interest in Sri Lanka, what is more vitally needs is confidence to have this momentum,” Misra said.

One of Taj’s bold step of re-branding was that there has been a significant growth in both tourist arrivals and occupancy rates as more international tourists are coming back to the country. International tourists are much keen on niche brands such as Vivanta by Taj and Gateway Hotels by Taj.

“The country maintained a good product and service in the tourism industry even during hardships. Sri Lanka is a holistic country, which is a good bargain for any traveller,” he said.

Misra said the on-arrival visa system is great opportunity for Sri Lanka to attract many Indian travellers.

India is a major market for the country and many Indians are travelling for shopping. Sri Lanka too is a good shopping destination for them. The shopping segment can be improved further and it will be an important tourist segment for the industry.

“With the improved rates and occupancy rates increasing the entire hotel sector will bounce back. The Taj hotel in Colombo, which is mostly occupied by 60 percent by the Indian business expects there will be further increase with its new expansion programs”.

“We are expecting to start renovating the Vivanta by Taj in Bentota by summer next year and will open the Airport Garden Hotel as Gateway Hotel by January next year. Both hotels will cater to the up-scale segment of the industry and will have great deals starting from this winter season ahead,” Misra said.

There is tremendous scope for MICE industry, which is an important segment for the country. Sri Lanka is a very price attractive and competitive destination. Therefore, training entire human resources engaged in the hotel sector creates a greater value in providing the best experience to the travellers, he said. Indian Hotels Company Limited Managing Director and CEO Raymond N. Bickson said Taj has been in Sri Lanka for 25 years and has invested in three properties worth US $ 80 to 90 million.

“As tourism is picking up rapidly we expect to enhance our investments significantly in the country. We are much keen on the beaches in both East and West parts of the country and also Kandy and Galle,” he said.