Citrus Leisure begins 600 room footprint from Hikkaduwa

Monday, 23 January 2012 00:37 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

Newest but fastest growing in the hospitality industry, Citrus Leisure Plc, on Saturday kicked off its planned 600 room foray to better harness the post-war rebound with the opening of 93-room and Citrus Hikkaduwa.

Citrus Leisure Chairman Prema Cooray, a veteran hotelier, said that the Company plans to build 150 room resort in Waskaduwa by 2013, a 155-room plus a Presidential Suit and 50 exclusive Villas in Kalpitiya, and a further 40 Villas initially in Pasikuda. He also revealed that a 200 room city hotel in Hambantota is also on the cards.

The resort (previously known as Amaya Reef), was expanded from the original 50 room in addition a sleek refurbishment, all completed within a record five months. The new resort includes 51 standard rooms, 40 delux rooms and two suites. Furthermore, a brand new 190 pax banquet hall, a 140-capacity restaurant – Lemon Fish, a tranquil Spa as well as an exclusive wine and cigar bar – Summer Salt have been added.

“Following the end of the war, Sri Lanka’s tourism profile has considerably improved. We (Sri Lanka) are on a high. The attractiveness is unparallel in this part of the region whilst Sri Lanka’s biodiversity is also the highest in Asia. Citrus will lead from the front in harnessing the true potential of Sri Lanka,” Cooray said.

Citrus Chief also said that the business model pursued by the Company was unique and it is energetically driven by its major shareholders – Divasa Equity, owned by the trio – DilithJayaweera, VaruniAmunugama Fernando and SarvaAmeresekere.

In a bid to complet the offering, the Company has launched Citrus Vaccation to handle in-bound and outbound travel whilst to Citrus Aqua has been floated to maximize the potential in water-based recreation.