THE SRI Lanka government has approved a proposal by India’s ITC Hotels, a franchise of US-based Sheraton Hotels & Resorts, to set up a Sheraton hotel and mixed-use development in Colombo.
The US$300 million property will be built on two hectares of land in the heart of the capital, which has been offered to ITC on a 99-year lease.
Malin Hapugoda, managing director of Sri Lanka’s Aitken Spence Hotels, welcomed the news, saying that the entry of large international hotel chains would improve the country’s image, dented in the past by a civil war which ended in 2009.
“Bringing in these super brands is what we need to change Sri Lanka’s image,” he said.
Starwood Hotels & Resorts Asia-Pacific said in an email statement to TTG Asia e-Daily that it was not involved nor aware of the discussions, which it insisted were strictly between ITC and the Sri Lankan government.
The chain said, however, that it was in discussions with different owners and developers to manage a number of hotel projects in Sri Lanka including Colombo, under several of Starwood’s brands.
Hilton Worldwide and Taj Hotels Resorts & Palaces are among a handful of international operators already in Sri Lanka.
Other chains planning to establish a presence include Marriott Hotels & Resorts, Shangri-La Hotels & Resorts, Six Senses Resorts & Spas and Movenpick Hotels & Resorts.
