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The double-digit growth of inbound tourism to Sri Lanka has sparked a massive hotel expansion drive and the unveiling of major development plans.
Total hotel expansion and development spending is estimated at around BD1.8 billion while projected inbound tourism arrival is expected to cross 2.5 million by 2016.
The boom in tourism is projected in the wake of increased demand for hotel rooms 'post conflict resolution' and tourism chiefs believe the proposed investment will help accommodate the increase in visitors.
In relation to the Middle East alone, tourism arrivals for the first six months of 2010 reported a surge in the number of Gulf travellers to Sri Lanka, according to figures compiled by the Sri Lanka Tourism Promotion Bureau's (SLTPB) Middle East office.
"Arrivals rose by an unprecedented 96 per cent in the first six months of 2010 compared to the same period last year," said Ms Heba Al Mansoori, Middle East director of SLTPB based in Dubai.
According to recent statistics compiled by the Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority, the total number of travellers from the region reflected a phenomenal upsurge with arrivals increasing by 102 per cent over the same period.
John Keells Holdings (JKH) is upgrading and rebranding Club Oceanic to Chaaya Blu in Trincomalee. The group has currently undertaken a multi-million dinar investment on a new four-star 190-room hotel in the Beruwela area. Coral Gardens in Hikkaduwa, Bentota Beach and Habarana Lodge are all being given facelifts and the chain also has land in Ahungalla, Wirawila and Nilaweli where it has new properties planned.
Amaya Resorts and Spas' development process is to be carried out in four stages. It has set aside almost BD4 million for developing its existing properties and has multi-million dinar plans to develop land in Wadduwa, Kalpitiya, Mirissa and Negombo.
Last May the country's government declared victory in its 26-year war with Tamil Tiger rebels who were fighting for a separate homeland. It was one of the world's bloodiest and longest-running civil wars and it left parts of the island devastated and displaced hundreds of thousands of people.
As the country moves forward officials are convinced tourism success will help its entire people to prosper in the future.
