Tremendous potential for tourism

By P. Krishnaswamy

Chairman of the Lanka Auto Gas Fuel System (Laugfs), Business magnate W.K.H. Wegapitiya is stepping into the hospitality industry, with three major hotel projects in the offing. He told Sunday Observer Business that his decision to enter the hospitality industry was prompted by the emerging economic growth and the tremendous potential for tourism, with an anticipated arrival of 2.5 million tourists by 2016. One of his three projects, the Anantaya, a resort and spa, in a quiet and tranquil atmosphere in a fishing village at Bangadeniya, off Chilaw, is almost complete with the ceremonial opening due next month. The writer met him at the hotel site to get his comments on the new venture.

Tourism is one of the hub concepts of the Mahinda Chintana for national prosperity and he was inspired by that, he said.

The investment on this seaside hotel project is Rs. 3 billion and it is an ideal tourist destination, secluded from the noisy streets and bustling cities but close to other much sought after tourist destinations such as Kalpitiya and the Wilpattu wildlife sanctuary, Wegapitiya said.

The hotel project will bring social and economic benefits to local communities. A large majority of the 150 employees are from the village and its vicinity.

Many more youth from local communities will be employed after the hotel starts functioning.

While local communities have been provided the facility to supply their harvest of fish, prawns and other seafood to the hotel, the management will also try to help them in marketing their products in the Laugfs super markets and other outlets, Wegapitiya said.

Livelihood, educational and recreational facilities will be extended gradually as the hotel starts functioning to improve the living standard of local communities, he said.

The resort has 87 rooms, four suites, 16 premium category rooms, 46 deluxe rooms and 19 superior rooms, Wegapitiya said. There are a multitude of recreational and sports facilities, two large swimming pools and a large 200-foot spa operated by foreign experts, he said.

It has a conference hall with seating capacity for 100 guests and a well-equipped gym in the 16 acres of land.

Plans are also underway to set up a golf course, Wegapitiya said.

With the rhythmic lapping of the Indian ocean's turquoise waters on one side, the snaking lagoon with lush vegetation on the other side and the pristine white-sand beach it is a serene hideaway for discerning business and leisure travellers.

Two other hotels are under construction, one at Pasikudah with an investment of Rs. 3 billion and the other at Vaskaduwa at a cost of Rs. 5 billion, Wegapitiya said.