Hilton group officials meet Finance Minister in Washington

Apr 24, 2017 (LBO) – Following the landmark deal by Hilton to manage six more hotels in Sri Lanka, senior management of Hilton recently met visiting Finance Minister Ravi Karunanayake in Washington D.C. on the sidelines of the World Bank and IMF meetings. Senior Vice President of Hilton Jonas Neihardt met with Karunanayake, facilitated by Nisha Biswal, Senior Advisor of Albright Stonebridge Group, to brief on measures being taken by this global hospitality company of the US to strengthen its market footprints in Sri Lanka. Embassy of Sri Lanka in Washington D.C. said the discussions centered on how Hilton Group could not only manage more hotels and resorts in Sri Lanka, but on how the group can promote Sri Lanka as a destination among American public, and worldwide. Earlier this month, Hilton signed six management agreements with Melwa Hotels & Resorts Private Limited to manage three Hilton Hotels & Resorts and three DoubleTree by Hilton properties in Sri Lanka. This also marked the debut of the award-winning DoubleTree by Hilton brand in Sri Lanka and significantly expands Hilton’s presence in some of the most sought-after destinations in the country. The six new-build properties, including three resorts are scheduled to open between 2020 and 2021 are Hilton Kandy Resort, Hilton Yala Resort & Spa, Hilton Kosgoda Resort, DoubleTree by Hilton Nuwara-Eliya, DoubleTree by Hilton Colombo International Airport and DoubleTree by Hilton Negombo. Total international arrivals to Sri Lanka have currently been charting an impressive growth trajectory and in 2016, tourist arrivals surpassed all previous records to hit a new milestone of more than two million – a 14 percent increase from 2015.