COMMONWEALTH HEADS OF GOVERNMENT MEETING

Raising the bar By Raymond N. Bickson Managing Director & Chief Executive Officer, Taj Hotels Resorts and Palaces

he Taj Group is delighted that the and culture that beckons travellers to discover her Government of is hosting the monuments, lush landscape, exotic wildlife, charming prestigious Commonwealth Heads of crafts and its gracious peoples. The country’s Government Meeting in November 2013. uniqueness lies in the fact that tourists can experience TEstablished in 1901, Taj Hotels Resorts and Palaces is all of these even within a short period of a week to 10 one of Asia’s largest and finest group of hotels, comprising days. With the return of peace to the nation, it can over 120 hotels globally. From world-renowned now reap the benefit of its immense tourism potential properties that have over the years evolved into iconic in times to come. The year-on-year growth figures, hotels to landmark city hotels, idyllic beach resorts high hotel occupancies and the entry of several other and authentic Grand Palaces, each Taj hotel offers an international hotel brands is an endorsement of what RAYMOND BICKSON unrivalled fusion of world-renowned Indian hospitality, the destination can offer to discerning travellers the was named Managing world-class service and modern luxury. Staying at world over. Tourism is already a $1billion industry in Director and Chief a Taj hotel gives you a true sense of place, history and Sri Lanka and has taken off especially in recent years. Executive Officer of authenticity in a refreshingly modern manner. Taj Hotels This is an achievement that was unimaginable just few The Indian Hotels Resorts and Palaces is part of the US$100 billion Tata years ago! Company Limited Group, India’s premier business house. The Taj Group set up its operations in Sri Lanka in (IHCL), a division of The Taj Group offers three hotels in Sri Lanka 1984 with the opening of the Taj Samudra Hotel in the India’s Tata Group, with under distinct brands, namely the Taj Samudra in capital city. Located across 15 acres, the Taj Samudra responsibility for all Taj , Vivanta by Taj, Bentota and Gateway Hotel boasts of one of the finest locations in the city with 300 Hotels operations and Airport Garden Colombo in Seeduwa, Colombo. The luxury rooms and suites overlooking the Indian Ocean management, hospitality Taj Group was one of the first international brands and the beautiful Face Green. The hotel has & travel subsidiary to identify Sri Lanka’s tourism potential over three been recently reopened after an extensive renovation companies. Previously, he decades ago. Today, it is a matter of great pride for us that has raised the bar of being the finest hotel to be on served as Vice President that we are the only international hospitality brand that offer in Sri Lanka. and General Manager of has had an unhindered presence in the country Bentota, the famous beach location on the south- The Mark in New York We firmly believe that Sri Lanka, the Emerald Isle western coast of Sri Lanka is home to Vivanta by Taj. for The Rafael Group of South Asia, is a country with a treasured heritage Situated on a hillock with a spectacular sea view, this Hoteliers Monaco and resort also underwent an extensive renovation and with Mandarin Oriental was recently reopened. The Vivanta by Taj product Hotel Group for 15 years. and service experience is designed around the global, Recipient of the cosmopolitan, work-hard-play hard traveller seeking a Corporate Hotelier of vivacious, reinvigorating hotel experience. the World Award 2007, Our Gateway Hotel, Airport Garden, Colombo is by HOTELS Magazine. perfectly located in the midst of a 38-acre coconut Recipient of the Luxury plantation bordering the famous lagoon, Hospitality Leader which is just few minutes away from the city’s Award 2013 by The Ecole international airport. All its rooms have been recently Hotelière de Lausanne. renovated and a brand new wing with an additional 100 rooms has also been added. We are confident that this hotel will continue to hold the record of having the highest occupancy in the country. The Taj group is very optimistic about the potential of travel and tourism in Sri Lanka, which has been growing at a spectacular rate of 100 per cent over the past three years. We look forward to welcoming many The Taj Samudra Hotel, more guests to our hotels and we wish the people of Sri 34 Colombo, Sri Lanka Lanka prosperous times ahead. F

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