US’ Carlson Rezidor Group enters SL for 216-room city hotel

By Charumini de Silva

The US-based hospitality chain Carlson Rezidor Hotel Group will be entering tourism-booming Sri Lanka, partnering with the Gnanam family for a 216-room hotel in Colombo 3.

The world-renowned hospitality chain has signed a management agreement with Sofia Hospitality Ltd., a new venture of the late iconic entrepreneur A.Y.S. Gnanam family for a hotel under the Park Inn by Radisson at No. 295, Galle Road, Colombo 3. Sofia Hospitality will be investing Rs. 2.5 billion on the venture. The ground breaking for this will be next week. The hotel will be ready for operation within two years’ time. 

 “The Carlson Rezidor Hotel Group is one of the world’s largest and most dynamic hotel companies. They have announced their plans to construct two hotel properties in Sri Lanka under its powerful global brand Raddison. This shows that the leading global hotel chains are continuing to invest in Sri Lanka,” Tourism Development Minister John Amaratunga told the Daily FT.

The Carlson Rezidor Hotel Group has an expanding portfolio of more than 1,400 hotels in operation and under development, with a global footprint covering 115 countries and territories, and a powerful set of global brands such as Quorvus Collection, Radisson Blu, Radisson, Radisson RED, Park Plaza, Park Inn by Radisson and Country Inns & Suites by Carlson.

In addition, Amaratunga said that the group was interested in setting up a mixed development project in Kandy. 

“The Raddison chain of hotels is optimistic and has plans to construct few hotels in various parts of the island in the years to come,” the Minister added.