Andreas Streiber has been appointed as General Manager at Shangri-La Colombo
Shangri-La Colombo is pleased to announce the appointment of Andreas Streiber as General Manager, effective immediately.
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ONYX Hospitality Group Celebrates Opening of Amari Colombo
ONYX Hospitality Group, a leading force in Southeast Asia's hospitality industry, is proud to announce the grand opening of Amari Colombo in Sri Lanka, set to welcome its first guests on 1st December 2024. This much-anticipated launch marks the beginning of a new chapter for Sri Lanka's hospitality sector, coinciding with the season's start and heralding a vibrant new era of sophistication and modernity in the region. The landmark property, located in the heart of Sri Lanka's bustling commercial and economic centre, is set to redefine modern elegance and comfort with its exceptional facilities, authentic dining experiences, and commitment to world-class hospitality.
Minor Hotels Introduces NH Collection in Sri Lanka
NH Collection Colombo Hotel opened its doors on June 1st in the heart of the city, steps away from Liberty Arcade and the Indian Ocean, and within a 10-minute drive of the National Museum, Independence Square and Pettah Market. Sri Lanka's main airport, Bandaranaike International Airport (CMB), is a 45-minute drive from the property. The five-star hotel boasts 219 rooms and suites, ranging from 33 to 254 sqm, and includes the city's largest Presidential Suite. All rooms feature floor-to-ceiling windows providing expansive views of the Indian Ocean or the city.
Alan Christie has been appointed as Area General Manager, Sri Lanka at La Vie Hotels & Resorts
As a strategic hospitality leader, Alan Christie brings over two decades of senior asset management experience most recently as Executive Vice President Advisory and Asset Management with JLL Singapore to his new role as Area General Manager, Sri Lanka, where he will be focused on driving the strategic performance of the Radisson portfolio in Sri Lanka.
Cinnamon Life Integrated Resort is set to open in 2023
A true city icon and urban lifestyle resort, Cinnamon Life Integrated Resort brings the vibrant spirit of Colombo to life by presenting a multitude of experiences that will delight and enchant the discerning traveller, who embraces the unconventional.
Courtyard By Marriott Brand Will Debut To Sri Lanka
Marriott International, Inc. signed an agreement with Colombo City Centre Partners (Private) Limited, part of the Abans Group, one of Sri Lanka's largest conglomerates with diversified interests in retail, real-estate development, environmental management and logistics to debut the Courtyard by Marriott brand in Sri Lanka. The hotel is expected to feature 164 rooms and is anticipated to open in late 2021.
Roshan Perera has been appointed as General Manager at Mövenpick Hotel Colombo
Mövenpick Hotel Colombo welcomed Roshan Perera as their new General Manager on December 15. Roshan started his career as a trainee in 1986, at the InterContinental Hotels Group, after which he worked for leading hotel companies such as Lanka Leisure Management Services (Pvt Ltd), Taj Hotels Resorts and Palaces, The Blue Water where he served as the General Manager for 4 years and then as the Chief Executive Officer for the group, Union Resorts Ltd while he continued to serve as the General Manager of The Blue Water totalling nearly 12 years of his career.
Sri Lanka’s Iconic Galle Face Hotel Is Picking Up The Pace With A Mix Of Local And International Appointments
The Galle Face Hotel, opened in 1864 and one of the oldest hotels east of Suez, is gearing up for a strong future with the announcement of key appointments."This is such an exciting time, both in the country and in the hotel. Lonely Planet has rated Sri Lanka the "Top Country for Travel in 2019", meaning a new era of growth for the destination. We want to ensure we have the team to take the hotel on that journey, creating new and authentic experiences for our guests in the years to come," said Galle Face Hotel Chairman, Sanjeev Gardiner, the hotel's owner.The new team have a combined total of 100 years of local and international experience in hospitality - experience they are now bringing to the Galle Face Hotel.
Next Hotel Colombo to open in Sri Lanka
Next Hotel Colombo and Kafnu Colombo will open their doors to welcome guests in third quarter 2019. This will mark the entry of Next Hotels and Kafnu into Sri Lanka, a fast-growing tourist destination and will be the first foray of the Next brand outside of Australia.
Luxury Ritz-Carlton and JW Marriott to debut in Colombo, Sri Lanka in 2021
One Transworks Square (Pty) Ltd. has announced a plan to bring two luxury brands - The Ritz-Carlton and JW Marriott - to Colombo, set within a prestigious, new mixed-use complex that will offer occupants panoramic views of the Indian Ocean. Poised to cater to both luxury travellers and residents, The Ritz-Carlton, Colombo and JW Marriott Colombo are expected to set a new standard for luxury in Sri Lanka's bustling commercial capital city.
Robert C. Hauck has been appointed as Area Vice President and General Manager at The Galle Face Hotel
Louis T Collection has named Robert C. Hauck general manager of the iconic Galle Face Hotel, Colombo, Sri Lanka and Area Vice President for South Asia. In this new role, 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.
IHG signs InterContinental Colombo
InterContinental Hotels Group® (IHG), one of world's leading hotel companies, has signed a management agreement with Pearl Grand Tower Hotel (Private) Limited, to bring back the InterContinental brand to the Sri Lankan capital. Due to open in 2019, InterContinental® Colombo will feature 307 rooms including 47 suites. This iconic development will be spread across 480,000 sq. ft. and the luxury hotel is expected to be the tallest hotel tower comprising 42 floors, in Colombo 3, an important and established commercial area of the city.
George Koumendakos has been appointed as General Manager at Mövenpick Hotel Colombo
In Sri Lanka, George Koumendakos has been appointed General Manager of the Mövenpick Hotel Colombo. A Dutch national fluent in three languages, George is a highly-respected hotel professional with almost 30 years’ experience in 11 countries, including more than a decade with InterContinental Hotels Group (IHG).
Shangri-La Hotel To Open in Colombo, Sri Lanka
Shangri-La Hotels and Resorts today announced that Shangri-La Hotel, Colombo is set to open on 16 November 2017. The hotel will begin taking bookings from 1 September 2017 for stays from 1 December 2017. Shangri-La Hotel, Colombo will be the second property in Sri Lanka for the luxury Asian hospitality group – joining Shangri-La"s Hambantota Golf Resort & Spa, which opened in June 2016 – and is anticipated to be one of the most prominent hotel launches in Sri Lanka in nearly 30 years.
South East Asia’s Hospitality Industry Leaders to gather in Colombo
The South East Asia Hotel & Tourism Investment Conference (AHTIC), a top-level gathering of international investors, business leaders, government ministers and officials will return to Colombo, Sri Lanka in November, under the patronage of H.E. Maithripala Sirisena, President of Sri Lanka.
Maheesha Ratnayaka has been appointed as Hotel Manager at OZO Colombo
Maheesha brings to OZO Colombo more than 16 years of hospitality experience in the USA, Caribbean and Middle East. One of his key objectives will be to continue to grow the hotel’s position within the local, regional and international markets.
Market Pulse: Colombo, Katunayake, Negombo – Sri Lanka
On the eve of the 2nd edition of Tourism, Hotel Investment & Networking Conference (THINC) Sri Lanka, hosted by HVS, this article explores the historical performance and outlook for three key hotel markets, namely Colombo, Katunayake, and Negombo, which are preceded by a snapshot of key macroeconomic and tourism statistics in the country. We also delve into prevalent travel trends and the challenges presented by the hospitality industry in these areas.Macroeconomic SnapshotThe Sri Lankan economy continues to inspire a fair degree of confidence, fortified by the gradual improvement in the external sector, with growing exports and remittances, and tourist arrivals reaching a record high in 2016. The 2017 budget points towards the persistence of the government's efforts to establish the country as a regional logistics and trading hub with better synergy with global markets as well as further openness towards foreign investments, particularly in tourism, apparel and information technology. Sri Lanka's annual GDP growth is estimated at 4.6% in 2016, as seen in Figure 1, and is anticipated to increase at an average annual rate of 5.2% between 2017-21, per the Economist Intelligence Unit (EIU), primarily led by private consumption and the inflow of remittances, as well as public investment in infrastructure. Historically, the Services sector has continued to contribute over 60% to the GDP (Figure 2), driven by the strength of the apparel, tourism and information technology industries. Figure 1: Sectoral Growth Rates (2013-2017)*EIU Estimates ** EIU ForecastsSource: The Economist Intelligence UnitFigure 2: Sectoral Contribution to GDP (2013-2017)*EIU Estimates ** EIU ForecastsSource: The Economist Intelligence UnitThe Sri Lankan rupee continues to experience downward volatility vis-à-vis the US dollar, averaging at LKR149/US$ in 2016 and this trend is expected to continue over the next five years, given the substantial trade deficit and inflation differential with the United States. Inflation, as measured by the Colombo consumer price index (CCPI), has averaged 4.5% in the past five years.To sustain the Services driven economy and develop the nation as an integral trading hub, the Sri Lankan government has undertaken ambitious programmes to modernise the island's roads, railways, ports and air transportation. Coupled with improvements in the power and telecom sectors, the infrastructure developments in the Northern and Eastern provinces as well as around Colombo will ensure long term economic growth.While the Colombo South Port Expansion project and the Hambantota Port development are already underway, the government is also focusing on creating a sustainable road network with projects such as the Outer Circular Highway, Colombo-Kandy Highway and the Southern Expressway. Additionally, the Terminal 1 at Bandaranaike International Airport is likely to be expanded by 2019 to accommodate 15 million passengers annually from the existing capacity of six million, further to which construction of the second terminal with the same capacity will commence. Tourism & VisitationTourism is the third largest source of foreign exchange earnings in Sri Lanka, accounting for 10.2% of the total in 2015. Total contribution of the Travel & Tourism industry to the country's GDP was 10.6% in 2015, and is forecasted to increase by 4.5% in 2016, per the World Travel & Tourism Council's Economic Impact 2016 report. Furthermore, Sri Lanka crossed the two million mark in tourist arrivals, recording a compounded annual growth rate (CAGR) of almost 20% over the past five years. Figure 3 presents the figures for tourist arrivals in Sri Lanka for the past ten years. Figure 3: Sri Lanka Tourist Arrivals (2007-2016)Source: Sri Lanka Tourism Development AuthorityNot only have the tourist arrivals to the country witnessed exponential growth, earnings from tourism have also witnessed a CAGR of 31% over the past five years, totalling US$3,026.5 million between January and November 2016, according to the Central Bank of Sri Lanka.Further to presenting the overall economic and tourism overview, we proceed to evaluate the operating performance over the past three financial years and provide an outlook for the branded hotel sector in Colombo, Katunayake and Negombo. We have considered the major international and domestic supply as the basis for the following analysis of these hotel markets, and excluded the smaller boutique or unbranded properties and one to two-star rated hotels. Moreover, the figures provided for the financial year 2016/17 are estimated based on interactions with the hotels' management and actual operating performance reported till December 2016. We have not accounted for hotels that have been operational for less than six months in 2016/17.ColomboThe commercial capital of the island, Colombo is connected by the Colombo-Katunayake Expressway (E03) to the Bandaranaike International airport to the north. The city is well connected to other integral destinations such as Negombo, the Southwest Coast, Kandy, Nuwara Eliya, Dambulla, and Anuradhapura by a network of highways. The data set presented for the Colombo hotel market comprises approximately 3,200 rooms.Demand Segmentation
By Hemangi Bhandari, Senior Associate - Consulting & Valuation at HVS New Delhi, HVS
Mövenpick Hotels & Resorts brings altitude and attitude to Colombo with a modern property set for iconic status
Mövenpick Hotels & Resorts has opened a strikingly-modern property in Colombo, introducing a unique hospitality concept that brings attitude and altitude to the Sri Lankan capital.The 24-floor Mövenpick Hotel Colombo is the first international five-star property to open in the city in 25 years, a milestone that reflects the country's new-found energy and optimism. It's also the destination's first urban hotel and introduces a 'vertical experience' like no other, with every floor, from the ground to the roof, offering a different themed concept, taking guests on a journey of discovery.Set to become a Colombo icon, this edgy, but sophisticated property is characterised by its modern architecture. The epitome of style, the diamond-shaped exterior blends well with the organic hanging gardens, boasting some 14,310 plants. All 219 rooms and suites feature floor-to-ceiling windows, the Rooftop Bar boasts the best city and ocean views in town, and the property's inventive culinary offering promises fun and theatre with a unique design edge. "We are offering guests a vertical experience like no other, giving them the opportunity to view the beauty of Colombo from a new perspective and across many exciting concepts," said Andreas Mattmüller, Chief Operating Officer, Mövenpick Hotels & Resorts, Middle East and South Asia."Mövenpick Hotel Colombo is an inspirational modern landmark that introduces exciting new hospitality concepts to the city; this signifies a new era of prosperity for an island nation re-energised and undergoing rapid development." Located in the heart of Colombo's thriving business, commercial and political district, close to the city's famous 'Pola' – the bustling local market - and several historical sites, the property's open-plan design with oversized windows gives a sense of space.All of the guest rooms, including the Junior Suites, Executive Suites and the Presidential Suite, are luxuriously furnished and provide access to the rooftop infinity pool and Jacuzzi. With the fast-growing corporate and incentive markets in mind, the property offers the largest executive lounge and rooms in the city, as well as a dedicated business traveller reception, while Banquet facilities include five meeting rooms and a boardroom.True to the hospitality brand's gastronomic roots, the dining experience is the heart and soul of the hotel, with seven creative bar and restaurant concepts from which to choose, all promising unique themes, theatre and cuisine created with passion.They include the Brasserie – Colombo's first in-hotel classic French restaurant, as well as: Robata Grill & Lounge serving Japanese cuisine and sushi; all-day-dining venue AYU; Vistas Rooftop Bar & Lounge; the exclusive Mansion bar and night lounge; the chic Lobby Lounge; and the Pool Bar where drinks and light meals can be enjoyed while savouring the city vistas.Guests can also enjoy a workout with a view at the fully-equipped gym, located 100 metres high, or relax at the Spa Ceylon, where signature treatments use natural oils and herbs. For more information visit www.movenpick.com/colombo
Carlson Rezidor Hotel Group Celebrates Groundbreaking Of Park Inn By Radisson Colombo
Carlson Rezidor Hotel Group, one of the world's largest and most dynamic hotel groups, marked its entry into Sri Lanka at a recent groundbreaking ceremony of Park Inn by Radisson Colombo.
Chris McFall has been appointed as Director of Sales & Marketing at Shangri-La Hotel, Colombo
With more than 20 years’ experience in hospitality in the U.A.E., U.K., Switzerland, U.S., Thailand and South Africa, British born Chris McFall brings a wealth of knowledge to the hotel. His most recent role was with Jumeirah Group, as Director of Sales & Marketing for Jumeirah Creekside Hotel, Dubai. Prior to this, Mr. McFall was the Group Director of Sales & Marketing for Abjar Hotels International, hotel owning company, overlooking the Sales & Marketing strategy for nine properties in Dubai, and Cluster Director of Sales & Marketing for four hotels in Dubai within Accor Group. His first foray into hospitality was at the SHA Hotel Management School Les Roches, in Switzerland.