JA Resorts & Hotels will be developing a tropical beach resort in Kathiraveli on the East Coast of Sri Lanka in partnership with Gravity Resort Group (GRG), the property will be known as JA Eclipse Beach Resort, marking the hotel chain’s third beach resort in the Indian Ocean further adding to the brand’s extensive portfolio of premium destination hotels including the Enchanted Island Resort in the Seychelles and JA Manafaru in the Maldives.
GRG will be funding the development of US$30 million while JA Resorts & Hotels will be responsible for consultation, and ultimately the management of the completed resort. The agreement was finalised on the second day of ATM, marking the first five-star luxury tourist destination to be developed on the East Coast of Sri-Lanka, which is often considered a ‘jewel’ in the Indian Ocean.
Additionally, Sri-Lanka has seen rapid growth in tourist numbers since 2009, increasing from 450.000 to 1.5 million visitors at the end of 2014 with this number predicted to increase on average by 20 – 25% annually according to the Sri Lankan Tourism Development Authority.
Commenting on the partnership, David Thomson, JA Resorts & Hotels chief operating officer explained, “we are extremely proud to be the first UAE-based hospitality company to sign a management agreement enabling us to manage the first ever luxury resort development on the Sri Lankan East Coast. We remain committed to spreading our heartfelt hospitality into foreign leisure markets. This is in line with our long-term expansion strategy, endorsed by our parent company, the Dutco Group of Companies to grow our footprint within the UAE as well as internationally.”