GFH to invest Rs 1b more for five more properties

Hemanthi GURUGE

The Galle Face Hotel Management Company has invested over Rs one billion to refurbish the Hotel Surf in Bentota and Hotel Safari in Tissamaharama to provide better hotel experiences for the local and foreign tourists.

Galle Face Hotel Management Company, Senior Vice President Chandra Mohotti told Daily News they are planning to invest another one billion rupees for five more heritage properties to boost tourism.

He said Sigiriya and Dambulla Rest Houses are now under construction.

“Since the end of terrorism the number of tourist arrivals has sharply increased. So, there is an increased demand to establish hotels in the country. Therefore, hotels that need to go for more investments to meet the demand hotel rooms,” he said.

The Galle Face Hotel Management acquired the Ceylon Hotel Corporation in 2005.

Nineteen hotels that were under the Ceylon Hotel Corporation are now under the umbrella of Galle Face Hotel Management.

The Galle Face Hotel Management Company opened a new reservation centre in the lobby of the Regency Wing of the Galle Face Hotel to facilitate reservations of CHC properties as well as arrange islandwide tours for the benefit of both foreign and domestic travellers.

Group Chairman Sanjeev Gardiner said there is a great potential in providing a facility for Sri Lankans and foreigners to arrange tours and make reservations in the 20 lodging institutions that the company operates throughout the country.

The Ceylon Travel Bureau is housed in the Mezzanine Floor of the Galle Face Hotel Regency Wing and this newly opened reservation centre in the lobby conveniently located where many tourist attractions are attractively displayed.