Sri Lanka is currently lagging behind in promoting the country internationally, CASA Colombo owner Lalin Michael Jinasena said recently. “We are lagging behind and there is a lot of catching up to do,” he said speaking on the sidelines of an event held to announce the awards and nominations earned by CASA Colombo.
CASA Colombo won the 2011 Asia Pacific Hotel Award Prize for Best Interior Design at the hotly contested Bloomberg International Hotel Awards; and the 2011 Trip Advisor Certificate of Excellence Award. At the World Travel Awards the hotel was nominated for Asia’s Leading Boutique Hotel; Sri Lanka’s Leading Hotel and Sri Lanka’s Business Hotel.
Mr. Jinasena speaking with the Business Times pointed out the need to move beyond hanging onto the fact that there is peace alone but also project the country’s new image globally.
His company, L.M. Jinasena & Co. is currently engaged in refurbishing its other boutique hotels Deer Park Hotel and Royal Lotus Hotel both situated in Giritale.
The organisation is looking to improve the sector by further expansion plans likely to take place next year.
Plans are to expand to the East, Mr. Jinasena said adding that more tourism investment is required in the North that needs to get more interest in this regard.
The need to improve the country’s image is a necessity, he said asserting that it is “unfortunate” that people still query how Sri Lanka is doing in the aftermath of the tsunami. |
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