Cosy winter for Lankan hotels
Sri Lankan hoteliers are gearing for more cheer this December as the winter season has already recorded increased bookings in most hotels. Only a few are not faring well.
Some hotels had observed at least 80 per cent occupancies and faced with a good number of bookings for the season while a few were offering upto 40-50 per cent discounts to attract even the local market.
As one hotelier pointed out occupancies in the south have also over 75 per cent for the season but that some who had not carried out sufficient marketing campaigns were not performing to expectations.
City Hoteliers President K. Shanthikumar speaking with the Business Times said they expect an increase in arrivals by 10 per cent this winter compared to last year and that bookings were already in place from Christmas to Easter.
He noted that they were also looking at 80 per cent occupancy this season and would be in for a revenue increase by at least 20 per cent.
In fact he pointed out that most city hotels were refurbished in time for the season like Taj, Ramada and the Kingsbury. Aitken Spence Hotels is “overbooked” with the winter season bringing in occupancies to reach 70-80 per cent until late March, the group’s Hotel sector head Malin Hapugoda told the Business Times. In fact, he noted that while traditionally the first two weeks remained low in December the rest of the weeks would perform better and that at the World Travel Mart in London this year they were able to garner sufficient promotional space.
In addition, Cinnamon Hotels were witnessing an increased number of bookings made online this year and there has been a steady growth in overseas visitors that was reflected well during the winter.
It was observed that at least 80 per cent occupancies were expected with a decent number of bookings made for the season. Moreover, the Keells group was engaged in a number of credit card promotions with up to 50 per cent discounts on offer for local holidaymakers targeting specifically the weekends for the season as well. But this was said not to be a result of low occupancies but as part of a business model and plans carried out with credit card companies from time to time. Meanwhile, Ulagalla Resorts Managing Director Priyanjith Weerasooria said that its Anuradhapura resort was doing well with strong occupancies at 70 per cent from around December 20 until the end of February. He said that while the East coast season was off at this time but occupancies were good, hovering around 50-60 per cent for winter.