Post-war rebound lures Damro to diversify into tourism sector

• Ground breakingceremony today onUS $ 40 m worth 270-room city hotel in Colpetty

The post-war rebound in tourism sector long triggered rapid expansion by existing players in addition to luring a range of new entrants. The latest to join the latter group is Sri Lanka’s famous furniture brand Damro.

The company will today break ground on a one and half acre site in Colpetty to build a 270-room star class city hotel named ‘Marino Sands Hotel’ with an investment of $ 40 million.  Alongside the hotel, which has access from both Galle Road and Marine Drive, will be a modern department store spanning 100,000 square feet as well.

The hotel will be a 12-storey building with a total space of more than 400,000 square feet. There will be three basements for parking and two floors dedicated to a department store. Piling has already commenced by Nawaloka Piling and with a target period of three years for construction, Marino Sands will open in 2016.

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Damro, which styles itself as South Asia’s largest furniture manufacturer given its growing business in India,  said its entry into tourism sector fits in with its diversification strategy and enables the group to harness the rebound in the sector following the end of the northeast conflict.

Given its growing presence in India in the furniture business, Damro is confident it can lure leisure and business tourists from the neighbouring giant.

“Currently, we have 55 showrooms and plan to increase the number up to a 100 by 2016. The Marino Sands Hotel will be promoted to the Indian middle-class through this branch network and aims to attract 50,000 new tourists to Sri Lanka annually,” said a Damro spokesman.

Each year, Damro also distributes a large number of furniture catalogues in India and the hotel will be promoted using the same promotion strategy. An attractive three day package inclusive of airfare and transportation in Sri Lanka will be introduced.

Marino Sands Hotel runs as a BOI approved project under the guidance and support of Sri Lanka Tourism’s ‘One Stop Unit’. This is also monitored and supervised by the Urban Development Authority and Coast Conservation Department.

Damro promises that Marino Sands Hotel will offer guests a variety of spacious luxury rooms, a private balcony for every room, an unforgettable experience at the rooftop infinity pool, panoramic views of the sea and city and an in-house department store.

 Away from the conventional concept, Marino Sands’ sole priority will be placed on the guests, assuring that all the facilities will be dedicated to their comfort during the stay.

Marino Sands will be complemented by a 200 foot rooftop infinity pool, the only one of its kind in Sri Lanka. The observation deck adjacent to the infinity pool will provide the guests a unique experience of a bird-eye view of the sea and the harbour, gazing over the Colombo skyline.

Luxury accommodation will come in a variety of categories, with a separate balcony for each room to enjoy the beauty of the Indian Ocean. The project will be completed with 270 rooms inclusive of suite rooms. All guest rooms will have an ample space of 385 square feet. The hotel will offer rooms to meet every traveller’s requirements.

There will be a rooftop restaurant in addition to three sea view restaurants. These will exclusively serve the room guests, who will be able to enjoy a peaceful, crowd-free dining experience. The department store located at the ground floor will give the hotel guests a shopping experience with quality branded items at reasonable prices. Prices will be very competitive here compared to other department stores in Asia. Competitive pricing can be maintained as the Government has relaxed the duties on electronic items and the development of local garment industry. This department store will be a key feature to attract the foreigners who travel abroad to shop.