PJ Hotels into novel ventures

Charumini de Silva

PJ Hotels a subsidiary of PJ Group has developed a range of new hotels with the boom in the tourism industry. They have introduced novel hotel concepts for the tourism industry.

The company is now planning to introduce another new hotel project known as Tranquil Refuge in Anuradhapura with an initial investment of around Rs 50 million, PJ Group Chairman Prasanna W Jayewardene told Daily News Business.

He said the company intends to open around 25 to 50 huts. “We hope to open our first Tranquil Refuge in Anuradhapura this year and over 50 new employment opportunities will be created in the area itself.

The company has extensive knowledge in traditional building practices and also in the rural cultural heritage of Sri Lanka.

“We will be conscious of every environmental aspect,” PJ Group spokesperson Amara Galagoda said. PJ Hotels has also invested Rs 100 million in introducing another unique concept introducing the ‘PJ Wild J Wadiyas’ in a 100 acre sanctuary with super luxury tents.

This is an oasis of absolute luxury in the form of tent accommodation and antique furniture set in harmony with state of the art accessories and facilities.

However, only a maximum of six guests per sanctuary will be accommodated,” Galagoda said.

“PJ Wild J Wadiyas’ is a niche market and the demand for these luxury tents has a commendable progress.

The majority of the inquiries were from European tourists and USA travellers,” Galagoda said.

Sri Lanka as a tourist destination has great potential among investors who are eager to invest in the Northern and Eastern provinces. Hence, company planned to develop and open a 1,000 rooms hotel in Mannar under the tag line Northshore Icon in 2009. However the company has not got the approval to commence construction work.