Qatar, Indian investors keen on Kalpitiya

Indunil HEWAGE

Kalpitiya is gearing up for a tourism revival with high profile international and local investors showing keen interest in investing in the Kalpitiya integrated tourism resort project.

The Kalpitiya integrated tourism resort project which consist of two phases has 31 islands altogether in Kalpitiya and Puttalam Lagoon areas.

This has been a major attraction for Sri Lankan, Indian and other investors.

Speaking to Daily News Business, Kalpitiya tourism project architect Pradeep Fernando said a significant number of Qatar investors are eyeing the Kalpitiya integrated tourism resort project and the Indian based Delta group is in talks with local authorities to develop tourism in the Kalpitiya area.

The Kalpitiya project spans 5,000 acres of land and is targeted to put up 5,000 hotel rooms.

Accordingly there will be one hotel room for one acre.

“We are following the Maldivian model to promote the concept of “island tourism” in the Kalpitiya area and also expect to promote whale, dolphin and bird watching and non polluting water sports as well,” Fernando said. The preferred investors will have to follow certain guidelines issued by the Sri Lankan Tourism Development Authority and it is compulsory for investors to make a responsible commitment for the well-being of the community as well as for the environment in the Kalpitiya area.

Sri Lanka tourism also achieved another remarkable milestone in the country’s booming tourism industry, when it passed 800,000 arrivals.

This was the first time ever; the tourism industry has received arrivals exceeding 800,000 in any given year, making it a ground breaking figure in tourism records. There will be an increase in the foreign exchange earnings from US$ 500 million in 2010 to USD 2.75 billion by 2016 where the government is targeting 2.5 million visitors.

A huge increase is expected in the tourism related employment from 125,000 in 2010 to 500,000 by 2016.

During this five year period the country targets to attract US$ 3,000 million worth Foreign Direct investment (FDI) from tourism sector most of which will be invested in tourism infrastructure development.