UAE-based JA Resorts & Hotels will develop a premium tropical beach resort in Kathiraveli on the east coast of Sri Lanka in partnership with the Gravity Resort Group (GRG), as part of the company's international expansion plans.
Revealed as the JA Eclipse Beach Resort, the property marks JA Resorts & Hotels’ third premium tropical beach resort in the Indian Ocean. As part of its expansion strategy, JA Resorts & Hotels launched its first in the Seychelles, Enchanted Island Resort, in December 2013, followed by JA Manafaru in the Maldives in November 2014.
GRG will fund the development of US$ 30 million while JA Resorts & Hotels will be responsible for consultation, and ultimately management of the completed resort.
“We are extremely proud to be the first UAE-based hospitality company to sign a management agreement enabling us to manage the first ever luxury resort development on the Sri Lankan East Coast,” said David Thomson, JA Resorts & Hotels COO.
“We remain committed to spreading our heartfelt hospitality into foreign leisure markets. This is in line with our long-term expansion strategy – endorsed by our parent company, the Dutco Group of Companies – to grow our footprint within the UAE as well as internationally,” Thomson said.
He added: "Besides the financial injection into the local economy that JA Eclipse Beach Resort will make, as well as the jobs it will create, the new property will bring an added human element into our DNA of caring. It will present an opportunity to Sri Lankan associates employed at any of our other properties to repatriate to their home country if they so choose."
| Advertisement |
GRG director Deepal Ahangama said: "We are optimistic that JA Eclipse Beach Resort will bring significant social and economic benefits to the local community, as well as genuine personal development opportunities for Sri Lankans within the resort’s team.
“Therefore, we had set out to find a management company who genuinely places people at the heart of what they do and who are committed to a long-term relationship for the benefit of all stakeholders. We were delighted to find that JA Resorts & Hotels embodies these values and are happy to be signing the agreement with them today."
JA Eclipse Beach Resort will offer 33 acres of unspoilt greenery with a beach front of 450 metres, an initial capacity of 108 suites and villas, six key room catefories, waterways around the resort, eight F&B outlets, a fully equipped watersports centre and PADI dive centre, along with a spa and wellness centre.
William Harley-Fleming, JA Resorts and Hotels director of hospitality projects, development & acquisitions, said: “Sri Lanka has long been a preferred destination for world travellers. They have been lured by an array of experiences, from beach holidays to wildlife watching, adrenaline pumping adventure, sports and rich historical heritage.
“We are extremely impressed by the recent dynamic development and remarkable growth of the country, and we are delighted to have this opportunity to expand our hospitality portfolio in this wonderful tropical destination.
“Conceptual designs for the resort, scheduled to open in the last quarter of 2017, will be completed shortly and will remain sympathetic to the natural environment,” he concluded.
Tourism numbers in Sri Lanka increased from 450,000 in 2009 to 1.5 million visitors by the end of 2014 – and this number is predicted to increase on average by 20-25% annually according to the Sri Lankan Tourism Development Authority.
web.jpg)
Search our database of more than 2,700 industry companies
