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. |