Travel

Mount Lavinia hotel to invest Rs. 450 million

Shirajiv SIRIMANE

The Mount Lavinia hotel is to invest over Rs. 450 million to further upgrade their property.

General Manager of the Hotel, Anura Devapura said that they are looking at building a modern kitchen and would also upgrade many areas in the hotel.

He said that with the dawn of peace and with timely management decisions taken at prudent times the hotel is now being re positioned as one of the top hotels in Sri Lanka.

He said that the web site which was introduced recently has been well received internationally and this has helped them to get more travellers. (FIT)

"It is turning out to be one of the hotels best marketing tools," he said.

Devapura who counts over 28 years of experience in the hospitality industry, having worked in over 13 countries in Asia, America, Europe, Australia, Middle East, Caribbean and South America said that the hotel has been maintaining high occupancy levels and they have also fulfilled their financial targets. "We hope to maintain this positive trend."

He said that they were also able to offer staff more than Rs. 25,000 service charges which was a welcome gesture by the staff.

He said that every month they introduce new theme nights for the food and beverage sector and this is being well received by their clients. "In addition the hotel also invites foreign chef in a bid to give their clients verity," he added.

The Mount Lavinia Hotel, in Mount Lavinia, offers star class 275 rooms and is a 200 year old hotel with a rich history behind it. It is recognized to be one of the oldest and most famous hotels in the country. During World War II the hotel was used as a military hospital by the British Army.

Following the war in 1947, the "Mount Lavinia Hotel" was re-established. Some scenes in the film The Bridge on the River Kwai were filmed at the hotel.

Amaya Leisure embarks on expansion

A series of acquisitions and planned developments over the next financial year are projected to lead to more than doubling the capacity of Amaya Leisure PLC, as the Hayleys conglomerate's hospitality sector company gears to respond to the growth expectations of Sri Lanka's tourism industry.

Fortified by robust performance indicators in the first nine months of 2011-12, during which it achieved a net profit of Rs 182 million entirely from operations, the company has embarked on a strategic expansion that will add another 400 rooms to the 350 currently under management, Amaya PLC Managing Director Lalin Samarawickrama said.

The recent acquisition of 'Lake Lodge' in Kandalama and land adjacent to Amaya Hills in Kandy, coastal developments planned in Nilaveli in Trincomalee and at Wadduwa, and prospective developments in the wildlife reserves of Yala and Wilpattu could see Amaya Leisure emerge as the third largest player in Sri Lanka's hospitality sector, he said.

"Occupancy levels are up, and room rates are increasing," Samarawickrama said. "Amaya Leisure is structured to make profits. Our gearing ratio is around 3 per cent, and returns on revenue are between 30 to 40 per cent."

He disclosed that more rooms are to be added to existing properties Amaya Lake and Amaya Hills, even as properties that recently came under Amaya management -- Hunas Falls, Kandy; Coral Rock, Hikkaduwa and Langdale, Nuwara Eliya -- undergo a revamp in terms of product and marketing. Web-based booking platforms are to be focussed on, and markets that can generate visitors in off season, such as the Middle East will be developed, he explained.

For the nine months ending 31st December 2011, Amaya Leisure PLC (Stated Capital Rs 527 million) posted revenue of Rs 568 million and pre-tax profit of Rs 195 million. While revenue reflected a healthy growth of 20 per cent over the corresponding nine months of the previous year, profit after tax was lower principally because the previous year's profits were swelled by capital gains of Rs 281 million.

"Profit performance discounting last year's capital gains, reflects noteworthy operational improvement and provides a solid platform for expansion," Samarawickrama added.

Previously known as Connaissance Holdings Ltd., Amaya Leisure PLC owns and manages a chain of hotels that carry the flagship brand name 'Amaya' and offer guests an authentic experience that reflects the culture and natural beauty of Sri Lanka.

The Group's theme resorts promote the rich heritage of the country's ancient kingdoms to provide clients the expected satisfaction of staying at an Amaya hotel.

Tourism mobile service in Arugambay

For the first time Tourism Mobile Service conducted by Sri Lanka Tourism will be held in Arugambay from March 5 - 7.

President Chamber of Tourism and Industry A. M. Jaufer says that this is a welcome move and will benefit the hoteliers and other people who are engaged in the industry.

Over 50 persons including hoteliers, Tour Guides, Travel Agents participated at a briefing session conducted recently at the Public Library of Pottuvil Pradeshiya Sabbha to make them aware of the requirement to be fulfilled for the registration with Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority.

Ms. Malini Ganegoda Director Quality Assurance and Standards briefed the participants on the benefits of obtaining the Registration with SLTDA and also the penalties involved for operating illegally.

It is informed that there were several entities in the leisure industry operating without proper legal documents during the past as there was no proper implementation of the rules due to the troubled situation in the area. "Now that peace has been restored, stake holders get better returns with more tourists coming in to the country it is time to create awareness on standards; improvement of quality and cost effective operations,? said Jaufer.

Jaufer also requested the SLTDA to work out a system to provide a subsidy for Electricity and Water tariffs and conduct training programmes for the members of the industry in the region on standards and quality, Languages and IT.

Chairman Pottuvil Pradeshiya Sabbha M. S. Wazith, ASP Pottuvil Premalal Ranagala, Director Environmental Authority Amparai, M. Najeeb, Officials of Coast Conservation Department was also present at the briefing. The Chamber will act as a facilitator for the industry in the North and the East.

National Geographic magazine recognition adds value to Grand Hotel Nuwara Eliya

This colonial property being a landmark in the hotel industry of Sri Lanka was identified and categorized as a 'national heritage' property by the Department of Archeology of Sri Lanka. This is in addition to the many accolades received from the immaculate garden such as the Best Garden award under the Large Commercial category for the past three decades, consecutively. The other awards received for the Best Garden are the Best Central Provincial Council Garden Award and the Best District Award.

Managing Director Tangerine Tours owning company of the hotel, Gerard Ondaatjie said that during the recent past they invested heavily to refurbish the hotel and add many features to meet today's international traveller needs.

Currently eighty eight rooms have been completely refurbished and has been reopened on schedule to cater to accommodate the tourist traffic from the European,

Asian and Middle Eastern Markets. The total room strength is 154 which include three presidential and junior suites. A new tea lounge and a wine bar too were introduced.

He said that due to this a hotel room that was sold for less than US $ 100 is now being marketed very much higher. "We are looking at an increase rate from next April," said General Manager of the Hotel, Palaka Perera.

He said that with the publicity the hotel received from the national Geographic magazine they have increase high spending clientele.

Grand Hotel is an excellent architectural structure of the Elizabethan era and is also the former mansion of Sir Edward Barnes who was the Governor of Sri Lanka during 1830-1850.

Yet another feather in its cap, the Grand Hotel has been awarded the prestigious Productivity Award classified as Star Award by the Ministry of Industries of the Central Provincial Council. (SS)