Aitken Spence and Spain's RIU Hotels to build a luxury resort
Sri Lanka’s Aitken Spence has partnered with RIU Hotels of Spain to build a US$ 100 million worth five-star luxury tourist resort in Ahungalla.
Issuing a media release, Aitken Spence says the 500-roomed hotel which will be managed by RIU Hotels will be the first business model to be developed involving the Southern Highway and the Mattala Airport.
“The timing of the hotel’s opening will be right since the Southern Highway to Hambantota is expected to reach completion by then and we have the Mattala Airport facility already in place, giving us the perfect mix for our business model”, said Rajan Brito, Deputy Chairman of the group.
The resort will introduce Charter flights to the country and bring in high end customers via Boeing 787 Dreamliner charters, which can carry up-to 200 – 300 passengers at a time.
“This would be a huge boost to the tourism sector as 700 – 800 guests coming into the country in one go would help creating international awareness of Sri Lanka and an emerging holiday destination in Asia”, Rajan added.
The leisure facility would be the inaugural project in the Asia Pacific region for the Spanish hotel firm.
RIU hotels operates an all-inclusive model across 107 properties managed by them in 16 countries.
http://www.news360.lk/business-finance/news-sri-lanka-05-11-2013-aitken-spence-riu-spain-31352