Country needs to build capacity:
Softlogic enters leisure sector
Sanjeevi JAYASURIYA
Sri Lanka needs to build capacity to meet the growing demand in the
tourism sector with the expected influx of tourist arrivals.
The world’s largest 152 inch 3D VIErA model television with
ultra large full HD 3D professional plasma was launched in
Sri Lanka by Panasonic and Softlogic Holdings. The newly
developed ultra high speed drive technology achieves clear
and highly detailed 3D video. Panasonic Corporation
Corporate Management Division for Asia and Oceania of
Panasonic Corporation General Manager Kazuhiro Yamanishi and
Uni Walkers (Pvt) Ltd Director P. Nirmalan flanked by two
models at the launching ceremony. Picture by Rukmal Gamage |
Softlogic catering to the need of more rooms plans to enter the
leisure sector in a big way. The company has already signed up for a
Colombo hotel with a 220 room capacity. This will be a five star
business hotel, Softlogic Holdings Chairman Ashok Pathirage told Daily
News Business.
Softlogic will be a strong player in the country’s leisure sector and
plans to benefit from the growth momentum, he said.
“We are planning to build this hotel as an international class luxury
hotel on par with global standards. This hotel will be on equity and
manage basis with tie ups with international partners. The company sees
more opportunities in acquiring existing hotels and there are also plans
to build a few more resorts and hotels in Colombo.
Softlogic took over the Sea Sand Hotel recently and has given it a
facelift to attract tourists.
Ashok Pathirage |
Sri Lanka will be able to sustain the tourism growth and the country
should focus on offering differentiated products to attract more
tourists to the country.
Tourism industry will become the most vibrant industry in the country
in the coming years. Sri Lanka has huge potential in diverse sectors,
which have not been explored at present. We need a comprehensive study
to unleash this potential. “We have not tapped even ten percent of the
country’s potential. Sri Lanka could do much better compared to other
leading tourist destinations in the region,” he said.
The industry has set targets to be achieved on periodic basis. These
targets could be met with expected economic benefits. However, the
country needs more investment for the tourism industry to build
capacity. There is a need to develop infrastructure facilities and
regional airport development also is necessary. Tourism growth will
evolve around these developments and the country can become a top
tourist destination, Pathirage said. |