Sri Lanka Tourism needs to do much more to attract high end Indian clientele who are by passing Sri Lanka and going to other countries.
Chairman and Managing Director, Royal Orchid Hotels Limited, India Chander K Baljee, said that today Indian rich are holidaying more in Europe, Dubai and other Asian countries but only a hand few get to Sri Lanka.
Chairman Chander K. Baljee
at the Regenta Arie Lagoon
“It’s not because Sri Lanka doesn’t have quality hotels or rich biodiversity, hospitality or anything else. But pure lack of marketing towards attracting the Indian effluent sector.”
He said that Sri Lanka has everything the ‘Indian rich’ need, but sadly they don’t know what the island offers! He said that the rich in Bangalore need a good direct first or business class air connectivity that will give them more time to spend in Sri Lanka.
However, the national carrier SriLankan in the Colombo Bangalore sector does not cater for tourism needs but only operates in the night or early morning flights with the intention of feeding Indian traffic with their long haul flights from Colombo.
“If there is a good morning direct flight with business class which will take the guest to lunch it would be a good attraction not only to woo more high end travelers and an even bigger number of Indian holiday makers from Bangalore.”
Being in the leisure sector for over four decades and now heading the group of hotels that is spread right across India owing and managing 97 hotels, Baljee said that Sri Lanka is an amazing destination and this is the reason that they have their group’s only hotel outside India in Negombo.
No second thoughts to invest in SL
“I had visited Sri Lanka as a PATA member two decades ago and even during that time it was heading towards becoming a major tourist destination.”
However, each time Sri Lanka faced numerous obstacles, starting with the war, tsunami and recently C-19 pandemic and economic crisis.
“However, each time Sri Lanka rose strongly and this has to be highly appreciated. Though some may have second thoughts in investing in Sri Lanka, the island has tremendous potential to bounce back as one of the most sought after tourist destinations in the world. This is happening right now.”
He also said that the manner in which Sri Lanka bounced back from an economic doldrums in around one year is highly praiseworthy.
“I am confident that Sri Lanka is now on an unstoppable growth trajectory.”
The 55 roomed, four-star deluxe property, Arie Lagoon in Pamunugama Road, Thalahena, Negombo after the management takeover was rebranded as ‘Regenta Arie Lagoon’ and is being extensively promoted in India.
“The main draw for Indians in this luxury Regenta Arie Lagoon’ are their villa type high end rooms, two swimming pools, conference facility and the close proximity to the airport which is attracting the holiday makers and Indian MICE market.
He said that for the first time they will also market both Sri Lanka and India one travel package to the global market promoting both countries simultaneously.
Starting own restaurant
Post completion of MBA, and a small stint in family business, Baljee started his own restaurant ‘Fascination’ in Shimla. When he got to know about two Mysore hotels up for lease, he came down all the way from Shimla to the heart of South India.
The promised pot of gold came with its share of patience and struggle, but Baljee succeeded in establishing his very first hotel by leasing the erstwhile ‘The Stay Longer Hotel’ in Bangalore and renamed it Harsha (now operating under the ‘Ramada’ brand).
In 1985, when Harsha started to bring in decent business, he had an urge to venture into something bigger and leased a land near the old Bangalore airport.
Though he had planned to build it as a 3-star hotel there, Hotel Royal Orchid went on to become his first 5-star, flagship hotel, and ultimately the hotel was launched in 2001. In 2003, the hotel industry witnessed a tremendous boom and for Royal Orchid Hotels, did not have to look back.
By the year 2004 Baljee succeeded adding four hotels including Royal Orchid Central, and Hotel Metropole under his company’s wing and constantly contemplated making the company’s presence felt nationally and launched many hotels in several destinations.
In order to raise funds for his ambitious endeavors, Royal Orchid Hotels went public in the year 2006 and raised Rs 130 crore in the IPO.
Today Royal Orchid Hotels brand is one of the fastest growing hospitality chains in India today.
To invest more in Sri Lanka
One of India’s largest and fastest-growing hospitality brands, Royal Orchid Hotels which also manages 160+Restaurants, is looking to invest more in Sri Lanka. “We and are looking at a property of around 50 rooms and large conference facilities in the South with beach frontage to manage on a long term basis.”
Baljee said that he founded the company in 2001 and today they have expanded and own and operate over 96 Hotels in 58 locations in India and own 6,500 Rooms.
Baljee who received an MBA from Indian Institute of Management Ahmedabad disclosed that they have a growth plan to reach 100 hotels by early 2024 and extend their footprint in Sri Lanka, Nepal, Thailand and the Gulf.
He said that the large conference and garden at Arie Lagoon was a major attraction for them as they are also looking aggressively to promote MICE travelers to hotels.”
Baljee is also Member of Confederation of Indian Industry, Member of All India Management Association and Member of the Greater Mysore Chamber Of Commerce & Industry and on the board of 14 other companies.
“As there is a growing demand for Sri Lankan cuisine in India we will also introduce Sri Lankan food to our main menu in Royal Orchard Bangalore and have already hired a Sri Lanka Chef for this.”
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