Scrub Island Resort, Spa & Marina, the first luxury resort development in the British Virgin Islands in more than 15 years and first member of the Autograph Collection in the Caribbean, has announced the appointment of Anura Dewapura as the resorts new managing director. A highly respected and accomplished veteran of luxury hotels around the world, Dewapura will utilize his nearly 30 years of executive leadership experience to oversee every aspect of island operations and development, while leading the resort to the highest levels of service and guest satisfaction.
“Anura’s appointment underscores our commitment to the continued development of Scrub Island,” said Joe Collier, president of Mainsail Lodging & Development. “With his tremendous depth of worldwide hospitality experience and passion for the Caribbean, Anura possesses an ability to manage the complexities that our master plan entails, while dramatically improving the guest experience.”
Dewapura’s career has included executive leadership positions with luxury hotels in the United States, Southeast Asia, Europe and the Caribbean. Prior to joining Scrub Island Resort, he was for five years the general manager of Mount Lavinia Hotel Group (MLHG) in Mount Lavinia, Sri Lanka, where he directed all operations for the brand’s luxury properties. While at MLHG, Dewapura successfully revitalized their luxury hotel brand in the global marketplace, influencing a 343 percent revenue growth.
Dewapura has also showcased his leadership skills and accomplishments at other luxury properties, including the world-renowned Hershey Lodge & Convention Center in Hershey, Penn. and Condado Plaza Hotel & Casino in San Juan, Puerto Rico. His hospitality leadership experience also includes work at top-tier hotels and resorts in Trinidad & Tobago, St. Lucia and Bermuda.
Dewapura received his Bachelor of Arts in International Hotel & Tourism Management from the University of Manchester, Metropolitan UK, with a Higher Diploma in International Hotel & Catering Management from the International Management Institute in Lucerne, Switzerland. He also has received the F&B and Room Management Certificate from Cornell University’s Professional Development Program in Ithaca, N.Y.