The Hindu Business Line : Sri Lanka’s Jetwing Hotels plans India foray

The company is especially keen on hotel projects in Kerala, Mr Hiran Cooray, Deputy Chairman, Jetwing Hotels Ltd, told Business Line. It has already signed a management contract with an Alappuzha-based company for operating a heritage hotel near Kochi, he said. The venture, which involves converting a 125-year-old coir press and coir warehouse into a hotel with 29 rooms and 5 suites, is awaiting final approvals from the Government.

Besides Kochi, the company is keen to explore hotel projects in other locations in Kerala, Mr Cooray said. For instance, a hotel near a wildlife park would fit the company’s portfolio as it operates similar ‘wildlife-oriented’ hotels in Sri Lanka, he pointed out.

Another Indian State on the company’s radar is Karnataka, he said. Besides India, it is also looking at entering Laos and Cambodia.

Though set to enter India with a management contract, Jetwing would also like to make investments in hotels if the opportunity arises, Mr Cooray said. It would, in fact, like to adopt a two-pronged strategy of investments and management contracts. “India is a safe destination to invest in,” he added.

Social responsibility

In Sri Lanka, Jetwing manages 14 properties, of which it owns 13, and all properties have corporate social responsibility programmes. Its Indian hotels, too, will have such initiatives, he said.

Doing things for the community is part of the company’s core values, Mr Cooray emphasised. So it works with local communities in Sri Lanka to help train young people for jobs in the tourism industry. This includes teaching them English and skills required in hotels, he explained. The company also works with groups such as tuk-tuk (autorickshaw) drivers, training them to also work as local guides.

In Galle, in southern Sri Lanka, the company is working with two partners to build a community swimming pool. The pool is intended to teach women and children to swim, he said. The decision to support this project was spurred by the fact that many people in Sri Lanka lost their lives in the tsunami of 2004 simply because they did not know how to swim or even float, he pointed out.

More Stories on : Outlook | Strategy | Hotels | Society & Development

Article E-Mail :: Comment :: Syndication :: Printer Friendly Page

Stories in this Section
Core group formed for multi-disciplinary firms

Swarovski in expansion mode, acquires more land

M&B Footwear on expansion mode

Amtek Auto to produce 5,000 wagons for Rlys

Sri Lanka’s Jetwing Hotels plans India foray

Vakil Housing eyes Hosur for villa project