MAL’E, (HNS) – Sri Lanka’s largest hotel operator, John Keells Holdings have said they have picked up their fifth Maldivian resort for 12.5 million dollars.
The acquisition was carried out through their fully owned subsidiary, Travel Club (Pte) Ltd.
Manager of John Keells Maldivian resorts Channa Jayasundara told Haveeru Daily that the latest resort acquisition followed discussions between John Keells and Ellaidhoo.
“For sometime the resort was available in the market. So we talked to the resort owner and a deal was fixed,” Channa said.
He added that if any other resort owners come along with interesting proposals than more resorts could be added to the John Keells chain of resorts.
A statement from John Keells said: “This investment will further increase our exposure to the lucrative Maldivian leisure industry and is the second investment to be made in Maldives during the financial year 2006/07,”.
Located in Alifu Alifu Atoll, Ellaidhoo Tourist Resort is around 40 kilometers away from Male.
The island which is 300 meters long and 280 meters wide, presently houses 78 standard and 16 garden rooms; a restaurant, bar and a health club.
The resort also has additional capacity to house 17 water bungalows, the construction of which would be undertaken next year.
Some of the best diving sites in the Maldives are found in the vicinity of Ellaidhoo such as Fish Head, Maya Thila, Halaveli Wreck and Fesdhoo Wreck.
Besides Ellaidhoo and Validhu, JKHs Maldivian properties include Hakuraa Club, which has a mix of water and beach bungalows, Alidhoo Coral Garden Resort & Spa, 100 room facility now under construction and schedule to open for guests from January 2007 and Dhonveli Beach & Spa, which has 150 bungalows, recently taken on a 15-year sub-lease for 21.8 million dollars.
JKH is presently Sri Lanka’s largest hotel operator commanding over 1,400 rooms spread over 13 hotels, including the Maldives.