Park Inn by Radisson arrives in Colombo: Redefining expectations of discerning business traveller

Park Inn by Radisson, the star-class hospitality brand marked its entry on the paradise isle at a Ground-breaking ceremony held on Monday, under the patronage of Minister of Tourism Development and Christian Religious Affairs John Amaratunga.

An investment of Sofia Hospitality Ltd., a subsidiary of St. Anthony’s Group of Companies, the 199-room, upper-midscale city hotel property slated to commence operations in mid-2019, will be managed by the globally-acclaimed US hospitality giant Carlson Rezidor Hotel Group, ranked among the top five hotel chains in EMEA.

The ceremonial ground-breaking was inaugurated by Amaratunga together with Thorsten Kirschke, President – Asia Pacific of the Carlson Rezidor Hotel Group, alongside Anil Amarasuriya, Chairman and S.R. Gnanam, Managing Director of Sofia Hospitality.

Also present at the event were Upul Jayasuriya, Chairman of the Board of Investment of Sri Lanka, and Paddy Withana, Chairman of the Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority, who extended their felicitations to the newest entrant to our hospitality arena.

This addition to the ever-evolving Colombo skyline comes at an investment of $ 25.5 million and equipped with modern amenities to provide a cosy atmosphere tailored to meet the demands of the discerning business traveller who seeks comfortable yet efficient service.

Situated at the heart of the CBD, the hotel will comprise a constructed floor area of close to 150,000 sqft with ample parking and star-class seminar and function rooms, making it a much sought after destination in the Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, and Exhibitions/Events (MICE) tourism sector.  It promises an ambience adorned with a mix of contemporary Sri Lankan art that epitomise Park Inn’s ethos of ‘Adding Colour to Lives’.

Speaking at the event, Amaratunga pointed out that this ground-breaking ceremony, which coincides with President Maithripala Sirisena’s second anniversary of assumption of office as President, was a pivotal point in the growth trajectory of our tourism industry.

He further stated that while the country gears itself to attract high-end tourists and emerge as a value driven MICE destination, the entry of Radisson group was proof of Sri Lanka’s readiness. While staying focused on making Sri Lanka one of the most preferred tourist destinations, he also reiterated the importance of preserving its environment as a sustainable, incomparable competitive advantage.

The Carlson Rezidor Hotel Group is one of the world’s largest hotel companies and includes 1,400 locations in operation and under development, with more than 220,000 rooms and a footprint spanning 115 countries and territories.  The Carlson Rezidor portfolio includes a powerful set of global brands: Quorvus Collection, Radisson Blu, Radisson, Radisson RED, Park Plaza, Park Inn by Radisson and Country Inns & Suites by CarlsonSM.

This is the first of two hotels to be set up by Sofia Hospitality. The second of the Radisson chain proposed in Kandy is a four-star resort hotel overlooking the scenic Peradeniya Royal Botanical Gardens, beckoning the leisure traveller to indulge in serene luxury.

Sofia Hospitality is chaired by the veteran banker and respected business leader Anil Amarasuriya, who brings in years of business acumen to the hospitality venture of the St. Anthony’s Group. St. Anthony’s Group of Companies draws its strength from a proud history of 75 years since its inception by the visionary leadership of late Deshamanya A.Y.S. Gnanam, whose legacy continues today through a string of trailblazing business ventures that have become leading corporate names in Sri Lanka.

The event was also graced by Tim Gilman, Economic Officer representing the Embassy of the United States of America to Sri Lanka and Maldives, Mika Koponen, Vice President – Technical Services, Asia Pacific, and Camilla Chiam, Vice President – PR & Communications, Asia Pacific of the Carlson Rezidor Hotel Group, Directors of Sofia Hospitality Ltd. and the Executive Management Team of St. Anthony’s Group of Companies and other corporate affiliates of the project were also present at the event.The ceremonial ground-breaking for Park Inn by Radisson by the Minister of Tourism Development and Christian Religious Affairs John Amaratunga, Carlson Rezidor Hotel Group President – Asia Pacific Thorsten Kirschke, Sofia Hospitality Chairman Anil Amarasuriya and Sofia Hospitality Managing Director S.R. Gnanam