Hotel occupancy to increase by 10% thanks to CHOGM
Friday, 15 November 2013 00:17
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Colombo City Hotels Chairman M. Shanthikumar yesterday told the Daily FT that Sri Lanka tourist arrivals will get a 10% boost from the CHOGM traffic hosted during the week.
Noting that in the city only nine hotels were fully occupied by CHOGM delegates even though all were initially blocked off, Shanthikumar noted that the average occupancy in the city is currently at 55% even though generally this would be a 67%.
“Even though the hotels are full, the occupancy rate will not increase as normal travellers – holiday makers and businessmen – have avoided coming to Sri Lanka during the period.”
The hotels currently under occupation for CHOGM are Cinnamon Grand, Cinnamon Lakeside, Hilton Colombo, Taj Samudra, The Kingsbury, Galadari, Ramada, Galle Face Hotel and Global Towers.
Even though the numbers are down, occupancy rate-wise, revenue-wise the hotels are generating revenue on par with the general level. “The hotels have extended their outlets and dining options exclusively for CHOGM, bringing in revenue which is closer to the amount we would have earned if we were to open it to general tourists,” Shanthikumar said.
The hotels are also receiving good exposure from top-notch business persons and heads of government, which will register well for the future tourism growth of the country.”
