Grand Hotel Nuwara Eliya enjoys better yield

Friday, 28 February 2014 00:00 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

Grand Hotel continues to maintain its steady performance growing in revenues and maintaining profits similar to the previous year. It had been a remarkable performance both in terms of revenue and profits in the previous year – a challenge to keep abreast was met this year too. In the nine months ended 31 December 2013, occupancy increased, and the resultant rise in revenues was mainly due to higher yields on improved product – quality of food and service to guests. Sustaining and maximising on the market share especially the Middle Eastern segment was a noteworthy feature in the retention process.

Grand Hotel has outperformed many hotels in the region and in the country, and prompted analysts in the stock market to study, ascertain and research the hotels financial results. The year ahead is promising despite stiff competition, a healthy feature to challenge its own performance levels. Towards this pursuit, the Managing Director’s vision and direction has been to employ and retain talented key executives who are high end performers. Employment of two expatriate chefs at the Grand Hotel is one such move by the Managing Director, and perhaps one of the few resort hotels to do so. A comprehensive training program is already in place, both structured and ‘on the job’, which would assist in the service delivery and transform the hotel to a higher level in the near future. In this regard, a dedicated training centre is completed to develop and harness talents of employees. The profits and cash flows thus generated over the years have been carefully utilised by way of dividends and timely refurbishments.

Grand building hotel in Colombo

With a long term perspective to use the available excess funds, Grand Hotel is investing in a purpose built bed and breakfast hotel in the City of Colombo, the Company said in a statement. “As at date, a total of Rs. 175 million has been investment and once completed this new sister hotel stands to benefit immensely from the parent company management expertise, strength and support of the Grand Hotel team and resultant synergies in operations,” the statement added.