Jetwing Hotels has invested US$ 1 million to add 34 more rooms to its Tangalle Bay Hotel located in the deep-South, which was taken over by the hotel chain last year. The company is also looking to develop properties in the once war-torn regions of Jaffna and the Northeast.

“The refurbishment programme has been immensely successful, and we look forward to extending our hospitality through the management of Tangalle Bay,” Jetwing Hotels Chairman Hiran Cooray said. He said Jetwing invested US$ 1 million to refurbish Tangalle Bay Hotel adding 34 new rooms.

Cooray further said, the hotel chain was looking to construct a brand new hotel in Jaffna which would be located near the Jaffna General Hospital. Discussions were on-going and Cooray hopes it would take off the ground within the next four months.

Jetwing Hotels manages 12 properties spread across the country.

Cooray noted that after 30 years of bloody conflict, Sri Lanka witnessed the highest number of arrivals last winter. He said that the country would attract 800,000 tourists this year, echoing Tourist Hotels Association President Anura Lokuhetti’s statement, which appeared in The Island Financial Review recently (April 26). He said the government’s target was for 750,000 arrivals for this year, however according to the prevailing growth pattern, arrivals could reach 800,000 without surpassing the current accommodation capacity level of 900,000 room-nights.

Sources told The Island Financial Review that Jetwing was also looking at building two new hotels in the Northeast on properties already owned by the company. Jetwing was among the bidders for the Kalpitiya islets project which the government withdrew as they felt that the price and lease period were not favorable enough. The Kalpitiya zone is still being evaluated for price and lease period, while several investment proposals continue to pour in for the development of the zone.

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