Elephant Reach - happy anniversary

Elephant Reach, Kirinda, Tissamaharama the newest addition to the luxury resort hotels celebrated its first anniversary on March 29. Owned and managed by Lanka Hotels and Travels, a subsidiary of Lanka Ice (Pvt) Ltd; Elephant Reach has invested Rs. 115 million which was on bank loans and had completed the entire hotel within eighteen months which considered to be an achievement according to the management.

"If not for the tsunami devastation we would have completed the work well before 2006 but hard and dedicated work enabled us to start operation after eighteen months. Since the hotel is well equipped with all the necessary facilities we are planning to apply for 4 star categorization," said the Chairman.

Elephant Reach has 18 tastefully appointed rooms in double chalets and three single chalets overlooking the swimming pool and the picturesque landscaped garden. The chalets' private verandahs open out to the hotel garden and all the chalets are equipped with ultra modern conveniences.

According to Chairman Clement Fernando the hotel has performed extremely well during its first eleven months and are now hoping to add 14 more echo friendly rooms and a fully-fledged Spa in the next few months.

The widely spread hotel on four acres which is surrounded by sub tropical forest cover with splendid greenery offers its valued guests the opportunity to explore Sri Lanka's nature, wildlife, religious and historical places of interest. This much-hyped resort is receiving an uninterrupted new bookings seeming the coming season extremely good.

"Currently we have an occupancy rate of above 35% which is a fairly good rate for a newly formed hotel. We are very much satisfied with the performance during the first eleven months of operations and to cater more we are planning to add more 14 luxury rooms and a Spa," added the Chairman.

According to Fernando the hotel is being marketed locally and globally through the leading travel agents, e-Marketing and wide advertising.

Elephant Reach has introduced a special package for the locals and expatriates in lieu of the first anniversary according to Fernando.

"We are giving a 25% concession on full board during April to celebrate our first year in the leisure industry. We are very much thankful to our local and foreign clientele for choosing our resort to spend their leisure time at Elephant Reach which we were proud to be able to give them the best star class facilities," Fernando further claimed.

Fernando is in view of recovering the total investment in five to six years as a result of fair performances and said that as a result of the very good occupancy rate they do not have any plans to put on hold their expansion drive due to the country's current deteriorating security situation.

The Board of Directors of Elephant Reach comprises Clement Fernando - Chairman, Patricia Fernando, Director Sales Malinga Fernando and Director Marketing Damith Fernando.