Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf reopens at BIA store to give passengers that extra boost

Friday, 23 February 2018 00:00 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

By Shannon Jayawardena

Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf, the country’s most sought out café, has reopened a newly refurbished outlet at the Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA), creating therapeutic healing for the gruesome jet-lag travellers often experience.

Since its inauguration in 2006, Coffee Bean has been the first and longest running international franchise at the airport, even celebrating its tenth anniversary and three millionth customer this year. This store embodies the feeling of a home-away-from-home through comfort and familiarity.

Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf Chairman Roman Scott said: “We opened in November 2006, before the war ended, but right from the beginning Coffee Bean, a major international brand from the US, showed a commitment to Sri Lanka for tourism growth. We are very committed to Sri Lanka and I love the country and the coffee.”

“We remained committed to Sri Lanka because Sri Lanka was committed to us and since then times have changed for the better. Our customer base remains as loyal as ever-exactly in proportion to the quality of product and service we’ve maintained since then,” Scott added. The newly designed store has reopened with a touch of modern contemporary as the old darker wood has been replaced with brighter and slicker wood that gives out a California vibe of chill and tranquillity. The outlet also offers a wide variety of new food and beverage items, which are easy to grab for a bite or drink, and a spacious seating capacity.

Transport and Civil Aviation Minister Nimal Siripala De Silva stated: “We are developing the BIA to reach the highest international standards, but of course, we have a lot of challenges such as the need for a second terminal, renovations for the runway and so forth. With the increasing tourist infrastructure, this airport is going to be very important and this store will contribute greatly towards this goal.”

The store offers a range of beverages from light and subtle coffees with mild and mellow flavours to rich and soothing well-balanced flavoured coffee, and a vast variety of black tea and flavoured tea, served both hot and cold. Likewise, items are available for breakfast, lunch, and dinner or even as a snack to snatch.

Tourism and Christian Religious Affairs Minister John Amaratunga said: “The airport needs expansion and at the same time we need to have facilities and regulations, both of which are very salient. Sri Lanka is now being described as the finest destination in South East Asia, and we can assure that anyone who comes to the country can have his/her money’s worth. The Coffee Bean store will undoubtedly be highly patronised by all the tourists that visit Sri Lanka.”