Sri Lanka Hotel News

Riu Sri Lanka, the country’s largest all-inclusive resort with a stunning 501 rooms, recently held a tree planting and beach cleaning programme as part of its social and community responsible activities. The resort is ambitious and confident to actively take part in a number of similar initiatives in future. One of the greatest problems that the world is facing today is environmental pollution, which is occurring on a vast and unprecedented scale around the globe. Thankfully many individuals, organizations and businesses are choosing to help out by putting a percentage of their time and profits aside. Riu Sri Lanka with a motive to contribute to a ‘cleaner and greener’ environment focuses on two major challenges- air pollution and water pollution, and strongly believes in giving back to the local community. The hotel planted many king-coconut trees along the shore with the participation of government officials, staffs and locals. Planting trees undoubtedly produce clean air,...

Sri Lanka’s Galle Face Hotel is reviving interest in Pimm's, a British liqueur, to which it is claiming links dating back to the island's colonial era, launching. The first ever crate of Pimm’s to arrive in Sri Lanka was shipped to the Galle Face Hotel, the firm said. "This light drink is a treat for the warm Sri Lankan climate," General Manager Robert Hauck said in a statement. "Galle Face Hotel’s connection with Pimm’s dates back to the colonial times and Pimm’s O’ Clock aims to revive the history and fun behind this light, summery drink." Galle Face Hotel hosted a signature 'Pimm’s O' Clock' event to celebrate its links to the beverage. James Pimm, a farmer’s son who had started a catering business, purchased an oyster bar in London, where in 1823, he started serving a cocktail made of gin, herbs, spices and fruit. Due to the liqueur’s popularity, it was commercially launched as Pimm’s No. 1 in 1840. The brand is now owned by Diag...

1. Majestic origins and timeless rituals: With an origin rooted in centuries passed, The Esala Perahera in Kandy is one of the oldest and most significant of all Buddhist festivals in Sri Lanka. The Sinhalese term ‘Perahera’ refers to a procession of ceremonial musicians, drummers, dancers, singers, acrobats, whip crackers, flag bearers, sword carriers, fireball dancers and various other performers accompanied by a large number of elaborately adorned elephants parading the streets in celebration of a religious event. Primarily hosted to honour the sacred Tooth Relic of Lord Buddha, the Esela Perahera is also conducted with the intention of beseeching blessings from the divinities for bountiful rains and a prosperous harvest, as well as an intercession to shower blessings on the people. 2. The illustrious ten-day festival: commences with the ‘Kap Situveema’ – a ritual where young jackfruit trees are planted in the premises of each of the four ‘Devales’ (Shrines of God) dedicated ...

Cinnamon Life unveils the Colombo Music Festival 2018, to bring to life the biggest music festival ever to hit the island. Be sure to be present at the Havelock Sports Club Grounds on August 18th to witness the most spectacular night of entertainment Sri Lanka has ever seen. With its Caribbean Night theme, featuring the legends of reggae-fusion and dancehall with Diana King, Shaggy, Maxi Priest and Big Mountain, this is will be a festival you wouldn’t want to miss! The four world famous stars headlining at the festival, are undoubtedly some of the best and most respected musicians in this genre. From their chart-topping successes, the mega hits on the billboards, to careers that have evolved and given back to fans over decades, the line-up of international acts will deliver an eclectic array of performances featuring the perfect blend of classic favorites and fresh new sounds. Renowned dancers, choreographers, local musicians, an array of pop-up events and unique experiences are...

An Australian Government initiative to help the booming 'Surfing' industry, was launched in Arugambay with a Surf Instructor Training Programme, by the Australian High Commissioner to Sri Lanka, Bryce Hutchesson. "This project is designed to strengthen the Tourism value chain by providing an adequate supply of skills and international recognition to the Surf Coaches and Instructors at Arugambay. The objective of the project is to increase the income of 28 informal Surf Coaches and Instructors in the District, through improving the skills in Surf Instruction, Beach Lifesaving, Aquatic First Aid & Emergency Response, strengthening surf clubs to manage service standards and visitor expectations," an official statement by the organisers said. In addition, the programme also looks to develop the partnership with the Tourism Association, hoteliers, training providers, tourism related stakeholders and the International Surfing Association. The successful partic...

COLOMBO, Aug. 13 (Xinhua) -- Sri Lanka's Inspector General of Police(IGP), Pujith Jayasundara, on Monday assured that 25 new tourist police posts will be set up in strategic places, covering all main tourist destinations across the country for tourism security. In discussions with the Chairman and senior officials of the Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority (SLTDA), Jayasundara said, the police force would regard tourism safety as one of its highest priorities. He said a new uniform will be introduced to the Tourist Police Division, allowing it to build more cordial relations with tourists visiting Sri Lanka. In a few years, tourism sector is expected to become the largest foreign exchange earner for the country. Therefore, ensuring safety of the foreigners visiting Sri Lanka will be a top priority for the Police force, Jayasundara said. He added measures will be taken to offer more training opportunities to officers attached to the Tourist Police Division. "Off...

Block one of the Yala National Park, considered to be the main tourism zone of Yala, would be closed from September 2 to October 31, Director General of the Wildlife Conservation Department,  M.G.C. Sooriyabandara said. “This is to ease the stress on animals considering warm season,” he said. Speaking to the Daily Mirror, he said the department used to close down one of the five blocks in the park once a year owing to ecological reasons. “The animals also need a rest,” he said. “The animals get often distracted due to the frequent arrival of local and foreign people into the park. Hence, the department should make sure the safety of the animals,” Sooriyabandara said. He said the particular period would be made use to renovate the infrastructure of the tourist guest houses inside the park. (Sheain Fernandopulle) Source:  http://www.dailymirror.lk/article/Yala-Block-One-closed-from-Sept-to-Oct--153983.html

Sri Lanka Tourism (SLT) has partnered with Yingke Travel, a Chinese tour operator and Green Leaves Leisure, a Sri Lankan travel entity, to promote Sri Lanka as a destination for Chinese travellers with the aim of attracting over 300,000 Chinese visitors by the end of this year. The Memorandum of Understanding for the partnership was inked at a ceremony in Colombo on Tuesday. Sri Lanka Tourism officials will be travelling to China this month to sign agreements with Chinese travel companies and explore opportunities to boost the destination. Officials of Yingke who were present at the media briefing, said they target 100,000 Chinese visitors to Sri Lanka from this month to next May and then double the number in the ensuing years. “There has been growing interest among Chinese travellers on Sri Lanka which is a hospitable and lovely country to visit,” an official from Yingke Travel said. The number of Chinese visitors to Sri Lank has increased from 24,275 in January to 35,929 ...

Sri Lanka’s Asia Leisure,in partnership with Belluna Co. Ltd, Japan opened its sixth leisure property ‘Le Grand’ in Galle recently. “Asia Leisure is one of the most widely recognized resort brands in the Country and together with Belluna Co. Ltd, Japan we are pleased to add this hotel to our family,” said Chief Executive Officer of Asia Leisure, Reyhan Morris. “We will continue to expand our presence, delivering a unique sense of hospitality that makes guests feel at ease the moment they walk through the door. Le Grand, Galle exemplifies this unique service in terms of locality, the exceptional view of the Galle Fort and the modern amenities and services that we offer.” Le Grand is a synonymous leisure/ hospitality name in Japan and with properties developed by Belluna such as Le Grand Karuizawa Hotel & Resort and Le Grand KyuKaruizawa and based on the success of these properties, this latest property by Asia Leisure and Belluna will Co. Ltd will bring forth the same bran...

Anantara Peace Haven Tangalle Resort is taking culinary experiences to literally new heights. In a former 21-acre coconut plantation where the resort is located, Anantara Tangalle has demarcated a sprawling plot to grow its own rice, vegetables, herbs and spices. The resort’s extraordinary new guest experience, Harvest Table by Anantara, offers an interactive culinary journey based on home-grown organic ingredients while embracing sustainable farming practices and cooking techniques. The experience culminates in a unique four-course lunch with organic wine, served in a rustic treehouse built into the tropical foliage of the resort, overlooking the organic rice paddies and the mangrove river.  Harvest Table by Anantara was spearheaded by Executive Chef Chaminda Pathirana and supported by the passionate caretakers of the resort’s farmland. Prior to the healthy and sustainable gastronomic lunch, guests will enjoy a guided tour with the Chef through the organic garden and padd...

Airbnb and the Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority (SLTDA), the national tourism ministry, Thursday announced a strategic partnership to launch Airbnb Experiences in Sri Lanka and drive local, authentic and sustainable tourism across the country. Through this Asia-first partnership, Airbnb and SLTDA will work together to onboard local experience hosts onto the Airbnb platform and help local people from across Sri Lanka share their passions and interests with travelers from around the world. Travelers can now choose from more than 40 Airbnb Experiences in Sri Lanka designed and led by local experts. Our Sri Lankan hosts offer a wide range of Experiences, from heritage trails in Galle to surfing experiences in Mirissa, and adventure walks in Sri Lanka’s national parks to discovering the best local food spots in Colombo. “We’re delighted to sign this partnership with the Sri Lankan Tourism Ministry – the first partnership of its kind in Asia,” said Amanpreet Bajaj, Country Ma...

Galle Face, an iconic hotel in Sri Lanka and part of Singapore-based group Louis T Collection, has named Robert C. Hauck as its new general manager. Hauck has also been appointed to head Louis T as area vice president for South Asia. In this new role at Galle Face, Hauck will oversee the operations of the legendary, 156-room historic seafront property in the Sri Lankan capital of Colombo, while supporting growth objectives and driving operational excellence for Louis T as it accelerates its strategic expansion in South Asia. “Robert is an exceptional hotelier with a career that has spanned some of the world’s top luxury hotels and brands”, said Mikael Svensson, senior vice president of Louis T Collection. “I am confident that he will take the legendary Galle Face to a new level, and his demonstrated success in hotel openings, turnarounds and developing new hospitality concepts will be critical as we strategically drive our growth.” A hospitality leader with over 25 years of...

Jetwing Hotels, the largest resort brand in the island was recently honored with the prestigious PATA (Pacific Asia Travel Association) Gold Award 2018 for the best corporate environmental program titled ‘The Essence of Our Being’- focusing on the sustainability efforts undertaken at Jetwing Lake, Dambulla. This is a great testament to Jetwing’s commitment to the environment and community for over 45 years. Long before sustainable tourism was recognized in the industry, Jetwing explored ways to minimize its effect upon the environment and maintain a close relationship with all stakeholders. Initially under the Eternal Earth Project, Jetwing focused on community outreach initiatives, sustainability, eco projects and humanitarian programs. To sharpen its focus and accelerate efforts in key impact areas, Jetwing recently restructured its sustainability strategy with six key focus areas- energy and carbon, water and waste, biodiversity, community and culture, family and sourcing and ...

Sri Lanka is mulling the provision of visa-free entry for tourists from friendly countries, including neighboring India, China as well some European countries, Tourism Minister John Amaratunga told media. The proposal is designed to facilitate citizens of these countries to gain hassle-free access to Sri Lanka's tourist destinations in the months of October to November and March to April. Tourism is one of the mainstays of Sri Lanka's economy. In the first half of 2018, tourist arrivals in Sri Lanka recorded growth of 15.3 percent as compared to the corresponding timeframe last year, according to the latest data of the state tourism promotion office. India was the largest source of tourist traffic to Sri Lanka with 14 percent of the total tourist flow in July 2018, followed by China, which accounted for 13 percent of tourist arrivals. British tourists accounted for 12 percent of total arrivals. Source:  https://sputniknews.com/asia/201808081067039186-srilanka-mulls-vi...

Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority (SLTDA) joined hands with the Galle Face Hotel and launched a tourist-friendly tuk tuk service at Galle Face Green in Colombo recently under the patronage of Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe. The ‘tourist-friendly’ logo is a pride mark to distinguish high-quality tourism-related service providers in Sri Lanka. Tuk tuk drivers who have successfully completed the training program ceremonially received the logo and their certificates from the Prime Minister at the event. The Galle Face Hotel advocated the program in keeping with their mission to preserve the heritage and history of both the hotel and its island home as Sri Lanka is known for its hospitality. The hotel hosted the honourable Prime Minister, distinguished guests and tuk tuk drivers for Pimm’s at the Chequerboard. The guests were entertained by a band of bagpipers and later escorted out to the tuk tuks prior to the beginning of the ceremony at the Galle Face Green. ...

Jul 31, 2018 – Damro Group opened the 12.5 billion rupee Marino Mall and Beach Hotel in Colombo 3, adding 289 star class rooms to Colombo’s hotel inventory, Monday. “We have invested over Rs 12.5 billion to build and open this hotel with 289 rooms including two suites,” Damitha Ramanayake, chairman and founder of Damro Group said. “In addition it will also consist of four floors of Mall space.” The Mall has four floors of retails stores. In addition the 12 storeyed building with a three basement car park which could park 350 vehicles also has two large conference facilities which could accommodate over 1,000 guests. The Marino Beach Hotel built similar to Marina Bay Sands Singapore also has Sri Lankans’ largest roof top infinity swimming pool and a large garden and entertainment area. It’s also the first hotel project to have electronic card entry system to the roof top area. Angsana Spa and a night club too would be introduced soon to Marino Beach Colombo. Marino ...

Giant hotelier Jetwing is embarking on a pioneering journey to the luxury resort condominium market with a Rs. 4.5 billion investment to build a 122-unit project in Thalahena, Negombo. Located on a 3 acre land adjoining the Jetwing Lagoon, the venture ‘Waterscape’ offers tenants both the sea and lagoon view. The facility, designed by Singaporean Sim Boon Yang of Eco.id, will have eight four-bedroom penthouses, 40 units of 2- and 3-bedroom apartments, and 34 one bedroom apartments. Chairman Hiran Cooray confirmed that Jetwing is the first among Sri Lankan hotel firms to venture into the long-term resort living market, and that it was a conscious strategic move. It is also the biggest project by Jetwing, after its city hotel Jetwing 7 in Colombo. "There is a dire need to diversify the Sri Lanka tourism product and experience offering. Several exotic Asian destinations such as Bali have done this successfully. We have identified that there is demand for reasonably priced luxu...

Weligama Bay Marriott Resort and Spa, an iconic brand of Marriott International, proudly celebrates its first anniversary on 20 July this year. The highly anticipated resort officially opened its doors one year ago, steering in a new era of luxury travel, centred to capture, create and inspire life’s most memorable journeys. Located along the Southern coastal belt of Sri Lanka, the resort has become an icon that embodies a blend of warm service culture, quality facilities, spaces and experiences to delight today’s traveller. Within just one year since its opening, the resort has undoubtedly proven to be the number one choice among local and foreign travellers alike, with its offering of modern global hospitality blended with the unique flavours of the Southern coast. The property offers 198 beautifully-designed expansive rooms and suites, right in the heart of Weligama Bay – a charming seaside fishing village famous for surfing. Each unit of accommodation offers u...

InterContinental Hotels Group has signed a management contract with Pearl Grand Tower Hotel to bring its flagship InterContinental brand to Colombo, Sri Lanka. The 307-room InterContinental Colombo is slated to open in 2019 in the commercial district Colombo 3. This 480,000 square-foot development is expected to be the tallest hotel tower in the city with 42 floors. The new InterContinental property will be close to international and domestic airports and the city center. “We are excited to introduce our global luxury brand InterContinental Hotels and Resorts to the beautiful island country, Sri Lanka, in partnership with the esteemed Pearl Grand Tower Hotel (Private) Limited. In a statement, Sudeep Jain, VP of development for Southwest Asia, IHG, said that the move was in line with the company's strategy to grow IHG’s footprint across South West Asia, and expand the presence of the InterContinental brand in key cities and resort destinations in the region. The signing f...

Giving hotels a government approved star rating is obsolete, as tourists prefer to rate accommodation based on how much they spent instead, Sri Lankan Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe said at the Hotel Show Colombo 2018. “We are used to grading hotels, 3-star, 4-star, 5-star, but now the tourist who come, they like to grade on how much they spend on luxury,” Wickremesinghe said. He said that tourists have different grading criteria for hotels, boutique hotels, homestays or hostels. Online booking engines such as booking.com and Agoda follow such a system, allowing market forces to determine the quality of luxury, services and amenities provided by each type of accommodation type based on ratings and reviews given by tourists who had stayed in each property. The Premier’s remarks came just days before the state’s industry regulator, the Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority, awarded star classifications for hotels for 2018, and pushed for mandatory grading of hotels under t...

ECONOMYNEXT - Sri Lanka has a billion dollars worth of approved hotels under construction and another 200 million dollars of projects which are yet to start building, the island's tourism authority said. Between November 2010 and March 2018, the Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority had approved 2.9 billion US dollars of hotels. About 1.65 billion worth of hotels, with 8,932 rooms are already in operation. The billion dollars of projects under construction will add another 7,261 rooms. Another 42 projects, worth 204 million dollars involving 1,798 rooms are yet to begin construction. SLTDA said there were 36,133 registered rooms in use as of March 2018. However, around one quarter of tourists visiting the country stay in unregistered accommodation, according to the SLTDA's last annual report, placing the country’s total room capacity at higher levels. Two thirds of the SLTDA approved projects will have less than 49 rooms, while 22 projects or 7 percent of the total ...

Jetwing Hotels, the largest resort brand on the island of Sri Lanka, has once again received Certificates of Excellence from the world’s largest travel site, TripAdvisor. Having been the regular recipient of these awards for the past few years running, this time around 18 properties; Jetwing Ayurveda Pavilions, Jetwing Beach, Jetwing Blue, Jetwing Jaffna, Jetwing Kaduruketha, Jetwing Kurulubedda, Jetwing Lagoon, Jetwing Lake, Jetwing Lighthouse, Jetwing Lighthouse Club, Jetwing Sea, Jetwing Vil Uyana, Jetwing Warwick Gardens, Jetwing Yala, Amaloh by Jetwing, Calamansi Cove by Jetwing, Galle Heritage Villa by Jetwing and Sunrise by Jetwing have been recognized for their exceptional service by TripAdvisor. Now in its eighth year, the achievement celebrates businesses that have earned great traveler reviews on TripAdvisor over the past year. Certificate of Excellence recipients include attractions, restaurants and accommodations located all over the world that have continually deliv...

Sri Lanka’s Aitken Spence Hotels is set to launch its first Heritance property overseas with the introduction of Heritance Aarah in winter 2018. This is part of the group’s plans to expand the brand, currently with a footprint of five hotels, all in Sri Lanka. When open on Aarah island in Raa Atoll, 40 minutes from the Male international airport, Heritance Aarah will operate as an all-inclusive resort offering 26 luxury duplex ocean suites, 56 sunset ocean villas and 68 land villas. For food and spirited concoctions, guests can choose from six restaurants – with flavours from France and Italy to the Middle East, Sri Lanka, India, Turkey, Mexico and Japan – and three bars including a space exclusively for Ocean Suite guests, a poolside bar and an open-air rooftop venue. The resort will also offer facilities and activities such as a dive and water sports centre, a range of excursions and adventures, a kids club and a spa with six treatment rooms set over the lagoon with vie...