Category: Tourism

Cathay Pacific could add a fifth flight to Sri Lanka, with cargo and passenger numbers picking up. Airline officials here to celebrate 10 years of operations out of Sri Lanka, say demand in and out of the country is moving up with the peace process taking root. rn rnA bulk of Cathays business out of […]

Banyan Tree on Friday picked up its third Sri Lankan leisure venture, taking up a majority holding in John Keells Holdings Beruwala Walk Inn, the parent company of Hotel Swanee. The global leisure industry giants paid Rs.47.75 per share for the 69.9% stake and will now work with JKH to refurbish and reposition the seaside […]

The Treasury on Wednesday confirmed it would sell its 64% stake in Hilton Colombo. The holding company of Hilton Colombo, Hotel Developers (Lanka) Limiteds Chairman Ajith Dias told shareholders that the the Treasury will dispose its holding as part of its economic reforms programme.rn rnAnalysts say the state will look for a strategic buyer to […]

The Ceylon Hotels Corp. (CHC) is knocking on the Treasurys door for a Rs.59 mn loan to upgrade its properties.Part of the funds will also be utilised to pay off a Rs.19 mn early retirement package the corporation offered earlier this year to send home 51 employees, CHC Chairman, Bodhi Liyanage said.rn rnCHC, a government […]

Batey, a top regional public relations company, is to take over the state tourism promotion agency early next year. The company singled out by the Prime Minister is waiting for the fine print in their contract to be sorted out according to officials.rn rnBatey, the creator of lquote the Singapore girl for Singapore Airlines and […]

Thai resort and spa chain lquote Six Senses is in talks with John Keells Holdings, to develop a luxury tea spa on a 600-acre stretch of Maskeliya Plantations.ldblquote Talks are still in early stages and if its successful, the chain will invest as much as Rs. 2 bn to develop the property into a tea […]

Sri Lanka is beginning to put in place its tourism infrastructure, with eight key areas around the island and four zones in the North and East tagged for initial development.A US$ 60 mn JBIC loan is on the cards to develop infrastructure like roads and utilities like electricity, water supply, sewerage systems and waste disposal.rn […]

John Keells Holdings entered the property market with a bang by taking a stake in Asian Hotels for Rs. 4 bn.The acquisition of the 60 percent stake gives JKH control of the Colombo Plaza hotel while Asian Hotels also owns a significant stake in the Trans Asia hotel.rn rnThe hotel acquisitions will show up the […]

Returning to where it was all supposed to begin over 10 years ago. Sri Lanka the prime destination for a concept that is intricately woven into the splendours of the land, crafted to perfection by its staff to bring an experience that will make you smile.Making up for lost time, Banyan Tree Holdings is once […]

Kandy Hotels Company is finalising its lease agreement with leisure magnate Adrian Zechas Aman Resorts, to take over management of its Queens and Suisse Hotels. The company began talks with the leisure chain last year, for the much needed funding to upgrade the properties, modelling it on the well-known luxury resorts.rn rnKandy Hotels owns a […]

Hoteliers in once conflict areas of the north and east can apply for low cost funding of up to Rs. 50 mn to refurbish properties damaged at the height of war.rnrn ldblquote We are processing the applications, but five hotels in the East have already received the low interest loans dblquote , Tourism Minister Gamini […]

The Tourist Board says visitors need to take away a piece of their experience in Sri Lanka when visiting the vast attractions the island has to offer. Officials say Sri Lankan handicrafts are largely limited to the elephants, masks and beach memorabilia, giving the visitor few options to remember the sites they have visited.rn rnSmall […]