Colombo, Sri Lanka – 6 April 2017 –
Hilton signed six management agreements with Melwa Hotels & Resorts Private Limited to manage three Hilton Hotels & Resorts and three DoubleTree by Hilton properties in Sri Lanka. This latest milestone also marks the debut of the award-winning DoubleTree by Hilton brand in Sri Lanka and significantly expands Hilton’s presence in some of the most sought-after destinations in the country. The deal also bears testament to the global hospitality company’s growing footprint in Asia Pacific.
The six new-build properties, including three resorts are scheduled to open between 2020 and 2021:
- Hilton Kandy Resort
- Hilton Yala Resort & Spa
- Hilton Kosgoda Resort
- DoubleTree by Hilton Nuwara-Eliya
- DoubleTree by Hilton Colombo International Airport
- DoubleTree by Hilton Negombo
Given Sri Lanka’s rich natural and cultural heritage, tourism is a chief propellant of economic growth. Sri Lanka’s tourism appeal is widely recognized, with the country ranked among the “Top 10 Coolest Countries” in the world to visit in 2015, by Forbes magazine. Total international arrivals have been charting an impressive growth trajectory and in 2016, tourist arrivals surpassed all previous records to hit a new milestone of more than two million – a 14 percent increase from 2015. The government has also launched a series of initiatives to grow tourism, embarking on key infrastructure developments such as expanding the national road network which will positively impact the six proposed hotels.