Club Oceanic Trinco Rebranded as Chaaya Blu, John Keells Hotels Group to Promote East-Coast Tourism with Rs 450mn Investment

28th November 2009, www.dailymirror.lk

A member of the John Keells Hotels Group, Club Oceanic Trincomalee has closed operations in order to undergo a complete refurbishment and expansion.

The 56-room Club Oceanic will receive a completely new look and theme by the design of master-architect Channa Daswatte and additional capacity to take its inventory to 80 rooms. It is expected that the hotel will reopen in May 2010 as Chaaya Blu Trincomalee, joining the Chaaya Hotels & Resorts family of five other 4-star resorts in Sri Lanka and the Maldives. An investment of Rs. 450 million will be committed to this development.

"In such a short time since the dawn of peace in Sri Lanka, the east coast has emerged strongly as the country's new tourism destination," says Jayantissa Kehelpannala, Executive Vice President of the John Keells Hotels Group and Sector head for Sri Lankan Resorts.

"Trincomalee in particular is becoming increasingly accessible to local and foreign holiday-makers with the development of the road network, allowing them to enjoy the beautiful beaches of Uppuveli and Nilaveli, some of the best diving and snorkelling spots in the country and a host of other activities including yachting, angling and whale watching. 'Blu' is as sea-farers would refer to the ocean and 'Chaaya Blu Trincomalee' by name, will be pledged to promoting the rich offerings of the seas of Trinco to the world," he elaborates.

"Having been involved in Sri Lankan tourism as a group for over 35 years, we are excited and enthused by the emergence of east-coast tourism. We believe that Trincomalee has the potential to become one of the most sought-after destinations in the country and Chaaya Blu Trincomalee with its new retro-chic look will bridge the present deficit for quality 4-star accommodation." says Ajit Gunewardene, Deputy Chairman John Keells Holdings and President of the Leisure Group.

He adds: "The John Keells Hotels Group is proud to launch one of the first development projects towards promoting east-coast tourism. This will be a first of many investments in the resort sector in strategic locations around the country."

Image courtesy of www.lanka.com - Lakpura Travels