Three star hotel for Arugam Bay

Hemanthi Guruge

The first star class hotel in Arugam Bay, will start operation in 2012 with an investment of Rs 541 million.

Arugambay Travels Hotel Pvt Ltd Managing Director A.M Jaufer told Daily News Business that, this will be the first up market hotel to be constructed in an area specially to cater to both local and foreign tourists. “We have found part of the investment and will be looking at another partner soon,” he said.

The first phase of the hotel project is scheduled to be completed this year and it is expected that the total project will be completed in 2013.

The three star hotel will be completed with modern amenities that will include swimming pool, spa, conference room, gym and others.

The hotel will initially have 30 rooms of various categories and the management has planned to add another 48 rooms for the second stage. He said that the new hotel will employ more than 100 people from the area.

Arugam Bay is one of the world’s top 10 surf destinations with many international events being hosted there. In addition, Arugam Bay also offers 10 deserted beaches, a 2,000 years old ruined temple, wild elephants and many other tourist attractions.

Plans are also under way to extend the Southern Highway from Matara to Hambantota and then to Arugam Bay which would add more value to the destination.

There are 50 to 60 hotels and boutique hotels in the area but it’s not enough to cater to the growing demand. The tourism industry in the country is booming after the end of terrorism in 2009 and Arugam Bay is now ready to regain its full potential.

SriLankan Airlines has also launched their Air Taxi service to Arugam Bay.