Sri Lanka travel agency moves into hotels

Dec 31, 2012 (LBO) - Sri Lanka's Worldlink Travels is building a chain of small luxury hotels with the first 12-roomed property opening in Kandy in the central hills, a media report said.



"We see a huge opportunity in the hotel segment hence we are planning to open a chain of small hotels under the Amaara brand in various strategic locations in Sri Lanka," Sri Lanka's The Sunday Times newspaper quoted Worldlink director Gerard Amerasinghe as saying.

After a 30-year war ended in 2009, Sri Lanka has seen a revival in tourism.

The hotel named 'The Amaara Sky' has 12 rooms with a penthouse, a suite, four deluxe rooms, two superior and two standard rooms.

Then newspaper quoted managing director Ahintha Amerasinghe as saying that rooms have a clear view of Kandy city as if from the sky.

The word 'Amaara' has the meaning of means 'eternal beauty' and it also has a likeness to the family name of the owners with an extra letter 'a, the report said.

The Amaara Sky also be a "virtual art gallery" with over 80 paintings of various artists displayed on its walls.

The Worldlink Travel group has been supporting local artists by acquiring paintings over severa