Given the vibe of Hikkaduwa, the company has identified the impetus for tourists and guests to walk the streets of Hikkaduwa, be it for a morning stroll or an evening out, and the fact that guests in this area spend very little time inside the hotel itself.
“For this reason, the Company has plans to build a ‘Food Village’ on the land opposite the Hotel which will be home to restaurants, bars and coffee shops,” Bansei Royal Resort, a 30 room hotel managed by Jetwing said in its 2014/2015 annual report.
“The outdoor style concept will be ideal for Hikkaduwa where people walking by looking for an interesting place to eat, relax or just enjoy the pulse of the town can walk in and feel right at home.”
The new addition will be modelled on the ‘Dutch Hospital’ concept where an ethnic Sri Lankan feel will shine through.
The company says the Galle highway has also attracted many locals to stop over in Hikkaudwa for a quick bite or a drink, a process which will now take only an hour or two which will be an added advantage to the new investment.
The management feels that this Food Village will attract many locals to come and enjoy the rhythms of Hikkaduwa whilst being a perfect revenue booster for the property.
Plans for the development are currently under way and the management hopes to complete the project by the middle of 2016.
“This ‘Food and Entertainment Village’ will add a new dimension of night life to the already vibrant Hikkaduwa ambiance, and we are also confident, that it will become a hot spot for the entire South. In addition, this initiative will add a new revenue stream to the Company, which will no doubt, improve the overall performance.” Tilak de Zoysa, Chairman of Bansei Royal Resort said.
Given the closure of the Hotel for a period of 9 months due to the refurbishment and renovations at the property, the Company has recorded a loss of 32,062,197 rupees after tax with a 70 percent drop in turnover for the year 2014/15.
The company revenue slowed 24,456,936 rupees this year compared to the 82,773,062 rupees reported in 2014.