UAE-based JA Resorts & Hotels joins hands with Gravity Resort Group to spearhead first-ever luxury resort development on East Coast of Sri Lanka

JA Resorts & Hotels extends its heartfelt hospitality further across the Indian Ocean through a 5-star beach resort with 108 luxurious suites and villas in natural environment on Sri Lanka's East Coast

Dubai, United Arab Emirates, 6 May 2015: UAE-based JA Resorts & Hotels today announced that it will be developing a premium tropical beach resort in Kathiraveli on the East Coast of Sri Lanka in partnership with the Gravity Resort Group (GRG) - strengthening JA Resorts & Hotels' international expansion plans.

To be known as JA Eclipse Beach Resort, the property marks 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 2014.

GRG will fund the development of US$ 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 annual Arabian Travel Market being held in Dubai, JA Resorts & Hotels and GRG marked the first 5-star luxury tourist destination to be developed on the East Coast of Sri Lanka - a jewel in the Indian Ocean that since 2009 has seen rapid growth in tourist numbers.  Tourism numbers increased from 450,000 in 2009 to 1,5 million visitors by the end of 2014 - and this number is predicted to increase on average by 20 - 25% annually according to the Sri Lankan Tourism Development Authority.

"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," said David Thomson, JA Resorts & Hotels Chief Operating Officer.  He added that JA Resorts & Hotels was also the first UAE hospitality company to both own and manage a high-end resort in the Maldives.

"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," Thomson said.

The Group, which prides itself on more than 30 years' experience managing and operating resorts and hotels, also places a premium on associate wellbeing.

"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, Gravity Resort Group's Director, added: "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".

Highlights of JA Eclipse Beach Resort include:

  • 33 acres of unspoilt greenery with a beach front of 450 metres

  • Easy access, with direct road access along the Trincomalee Highway it is well positioned between the key cities of Trincomalee and Batticaloa, which are 60 and 70 kilometres away, respectively - in addition, seaplane and other modes of transfer will be offered to guests to ensure their arrival to the resort is part of the experience

  • Initial capacity of 108 luxurious suites and villas nestled within lush landscape

  • 6 key room categories, ranging from the more conventional resort suites and villas to luxurious tree-top suites and royal suites, all designed to be in keeping with the beauty of Sri Lanka

  • Waterways around the resort, consisting of featured free-form swimming pools, private villa pools, water features and a lazy river naturally making its way through the resort towards the beach pool

  • 8 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

  • Fully equipped watersports centre and PADI dive centre, offering nitrox diving

  • Various kids clubs will ensure all children from 4 months to 16 years of age are fully catered for

  • 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.

William Harley-Fleming, JA Resorts and Hotels Director of Hospitality Projects, Development & Acquisitions, said: "Sri Lanka has long been a preferred destination for world travellers.  They have been lured by an array of experiences, from beach holidays to wildlife watching, adrenaline pumping adventure, sports and rich historical heritage.

"We are extremely impressed by the recent dynamic development and remarkable growth of the country, and we are delighted to have this opportunity to expand our hospitality portfolio in this wonderful tropical destination.

"Conceptual designs for the resort, scheduled to open in the last quarter of 2017, will be completed shortly and will remain sympathetic to the natural environment," he concluded.

-Ends-

JA Resorts & Hotels is an international hospitality company based in Dubai, with over 30 years' experience in managing and operating resorts and hotels.  Its present portfolio includes the all-suite JA Palm Tree Court and JA Jebel Ali Beach Hotel within the award-winning JA Jebel Ali Golf Resort.  On 'The Walk' in Dubai Marina are JA Ocean View Hotel and the deluxe hotel apartments, JA Oasis Beach Tower. The company launched their first international property, the stunning Enchanted Island Resort in the Seychelles in early 2014, featuring ten exclusive pool villas and has recently acquired its newest property, JA Manafaru in the Maldives boasting 84 keys. Consisting of beach villas and water villas, six food and beverage outlets, a spa and beauty complex, water sports and PADI dive centre and extensive children's entertainment area, the company aims to continue on a path of international expansion with several exciting projects in the pipeline.

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For further press information please visit us at
www.jaresortshotels.com or www.linkedin.com/company/ja-resorts-&-hotels

OR contact for English:
Kershia Carvalho
Account Executive, Impact Porter Novelli
Telephone: +971 4 3304030 | Mobile: +971 50 3045752
E- mail: k.carvalho@ipn.ae

And for Arabic:
Nadine Abel Khalek
Regional Consultant, Impact Porter Novelli
Telephone: + 971 50 932 7016
E-mail: n.khalek@ipn.ae

OR also for English:
Rebecca Sageman
Group PR Director, JA Resorts & Hotels
Telephone: +971 50551 9746
E-mail: rebecca.sageman@jaresorts.com

And for Arabic:
Lana Hamzah
PR Manager, JA Resorts & Hotels
Telephone: +971 4 315 4984 
E-mail: lana.hamzah@jaresorts.com
Facebook http://www.facebook.com/jaresortshotels
Twitter http://www.twitter.com/jaresorts
YouTube http://www.youtube.com/jaihotels

JA Resorts & Hotels LLC is a limited liability company with share capital of AED10,000,000 licensed in Dubai UAE under Licence No. 230295

Gravity Resort Group (GRG) was formed between Gravity Investment Group and local partners for the development of luxury hospitality in Sri Lanka.  Gravity Investment Group and its partners have invested in multiple countries with businesses ranging from a mixed use Caribbean resort and residential development to social care in the UK and other asset classes.

© Press Release 2015