Port City Showcases at Southeast Asia Hotel Investor Summit | Daily FT

• CHEC Colombo Port City Deputy Managing Director Thulci Aluwihare in a keynote address outlines plans to redefine Sri Lanka’s hotel landscape

The Southeast Asia Hotel Investor Summit (SEAHIS) 2023, a prestigious gathering of leading investors, industry leaders and experts, recently took place in Bangkok, Thailand.

Among the distinguished speakers at the event was Colombo Port City Deputy Managing Director, Thulci Aluwihare, who gave an informative presentation on Sri Lanka’s untapped potential, its rapidly recovering tourism industry and Sri Lanka’s ambitious tourism targets for next year.

During his speech, Aluwihare also highlighted the exciting opportunities presented by Port City Colombo (PCC) and PCC’s Special Economic Zone (SEZ). He emphasized the significant investment prospects available to hotel owners and operators in and around the development, which is positioned to be the new frontier of Sri Lankan hospitality. As one of the most ambitious and transformational urban development projects in the region, PCC will play a pivotal role in lifting Sri Lanka’s tourism sector to new heights. The soon-to-be-opened duty-free mall, for example, is a key harbinger of things yet to come, and will be the first downtown duty-free mall of its kind in South Asia.

Aluwihare expressed his optimism about the future of the Sri Lankan hospitality industry saying, “With the rapid growth and recovery of our tourism industry, we believe that Port City Colombo will be a catalyst in attracting local and international investors seeking unprecedented opportunities. Port City’s unique combination of modern infrastructure, strategic location and diverse investment options will create a vibrant ecosystem that will support Sri Lanka’s tourism goals, particularly as it will act as a global venue for entertainment, leisure, finance, business, retail and more.

Port City Colombo is a visionary project that aims to redefine the economic and social landscape of Sri Lanka. PCC will offer a cosmopolitan lifestyle, world-class infrastructure and sustainable living. As a Special Economic Zone, it also offers a variety of incentives and benefits for businesses, making it an ideal destination for hotel owners and operators to establish their presence in Sri Lanka.

In addition to the many investment opportunities, Port City Colombo will further boost Sri Lanka’s tourism ambitions by providing state-of-the-art services, cutting-edge technology and a host of entertainment, leisure and retail offerings, including a Duty Free at the center. The development is designed to create a vibrant center that seamlessly integrates commercial, leisure and residential components, offering an unrivaled experience for visitors and residents alike.

As Sri Lanka aims to position itself as a premier tourist destination, Port City Colombo will play a pivotal role in achieving this goal. With its commitment to sustainability, innovation and world-class hospitality, PCC is poised to become a game changer in the region, attracting discerning travelers and investors alike.