Club Palm Bay goes for Rs. 175 m revamp; Expansion on the cards

Monday, 18 October 2010 00:17 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

To better harness the post-war rebound in tourism, Club Palm Bay has embarked on a Rs. 175 million refurbishment initiative along with a planned expansion that will transform it to a four star luxury resort in Marawila.

Colombo Fort Hotels Ltd’s General Manager-Marketing Shiran Gunawardena, told the Daily FT that the upgrade to the 106 rooms including two suites will be completed by June next year. An expanded banquet hall that could accommodate 500 as opposed to 350 is also part of the upgrade.

“In tandem with the improving profile of tourists visiting post-war Sri Lanka, Club Palm Bay will be repositioned as a luxury four star resort,” Gunawardena said.

“We showcased the future rooms to tour operators and agents and the feedback has been excellent,” he added.

Club Palm Bay which began and thrived as an all inclusive resort has seen higher occupancy since the end of the war in May last year in addition to better yield.

“As a direct result of the post-war upturn as well as special efforts in marketing Club Palm Bay is heading for its best year,” Gunawardena said.

He said that the strategy has been to differentiate the tourists’ experience and the repositioning and refurbishment are aimed at making Club Palm Bay a premier resort in Sri Lanka. Its current clientele includes mostly Europeans and Scandinavians with a fair degree of repeat visits.

“There will be a significant improvement in both the hardware and software along with service offering,” he added. Being midst the ocean and lagoon, Club Palm Bay boasts of almost all rooms enjoying a scenic view of waterways.

The owning Company has also acquired 10 acres of adjoining land with a view to expand Club Palm Bay.

The Colombo Fort land’s portfolio of hotels includes Sigiriya Village, The Palms at Beruwela as well as Sherwood Holiday Bungalows in addition to managing a few others.