UAE-based JA Resorts & Hotels is set to develop a premium tropical beach resort in Kathiraveli on the East Coast of Sri Lanka in partnership with the Gravity Resort Group (GRG), as part of its international expansion plans.

To be known as JA Eclipse Beach Resort, the property will mark JA Resorts & Hotels’ third premium tropical beach resort in the Indian Ocean.  

As part of its expansion strategy, JA Resorts & Hotels launched its first premium destination in the Seychelles, Enchanted Island Resort, in December 2013, rapidly followed with JA Manafaru in the Maldives in November last year.

GRG will fund the development of $30 million while JA Resorts & Hotels will be responsible for consultation, and ultimately management of the completed resort.

Formalising an agreement on the second day of the ongoing annual Arabian Travel Market being held in Dubai, JA Resorts & Hotels and GRG marked the first five-star luxury tourist destination to be developed on the East Coast of Sri Lanka,

David Thomson, chief operating officer, JA Resorts & Hotels, said: “We are extremely proud to be the first UAE-based hospitality company to sign a management agreement enabling us to manage the first ever luxury resort development on the Sri Lankan East Coast.

“We remain committed to spreading our heartfelt hospitality into foreign leisure markets.  This is in line with our long-term  expansion strategy – endorsed by our parent company, the Dutco Group of Companies – to grow our footprint within the UAE as well as internationally.”

“Besides the financial injection into the local economy that JA Eclipse Beach Resort will make, as well as the jobs it will create, the new property will bring an added human element into our DNA of caring.  It will present an opportunity to Sri Lankan associates employed at any of our other properties to repatriate to their home country if they so choose,” Thomson said.

Deepal Ahangama, GRG’s director, said: “We are optimistic that JA Eclipse Beach Resort will bring significant social and economic benefits to the local community, as well as genuine personal development opportunities for Sri Lankans within the resort’s team.

“Therefore, we had set out to find a management company who genuinely places people at the heart of what they do and who are committed to a long-term relationship for the benefit of all stakeholders.  We were delighted to find that JA Resorts & Hotels embodies these values and are happy to be signing the agreement with them today.”

The resort on 33 acres of greenery with a beach front of 450 metres, will have an initial capacity of 108 luxurious suites and villas. It will feature six key room categories, ranging from the more conventional resort suites and villas to luxurious tree-top suites and royal suites.

The waterways around the resort will consist of featured free-form swimming pools, private villa pools, water features and a lazy river.

It will feature eight food and beverage outlets, from casual daytime venues to speciality restaurants for evening meals – in addition, a host of private venues will also be on offer from tree-top, beach and poolside dining.

It will also house a spa and wellness centre, including an arrival pavilion, spa retail area, hair salon, hydro pools, steam rooms, sauna and a herbal infused relaxation garden. - TradeArabia News Service