The evolution of Sri Lanka’s hospitality landscape is clearly reflected in Minor Hotels’ five-property portfolio across Sri Lanka, spanning clifftop retreats, city hotels, dual-destination combinations, and lifestyle-driven coastal resorts. During a recent engagement in India, three General Managers and the Area Sales Director emphasised a clear shift toward curated itineraries, experiential travel, and deeper alignment with key source markets, particularly India, as demand surfaces to be more immersive and segment-specific.
Across Sri Lanka’s western coastline, from city hubs to southern retreats, Minor Hotels has built a portfolio that thrives on contrast rather than uniformity, linking urban energy, riverfront escapes, dual-brand destinations, and secluded coastal sanctuaries into one connected hospitality ecosystem. From Colombo’s evolving business landscape to Bentota’s twin-water setting and Tangalle’s clifftop seclusion, each property plays a distinct role in shaping multi-layered travel itineraries for increasingly experience-driven guests.
NH BENTOTA CEYSANDS RESORT AND NH COLLECTION COLOMBO
Bridging Urban Energy with Coastal Calm
Wim N M Fagel, General Manager, oversees both NH Bentota Ceysands Resort and NH Collection Colombo, offering two distinct yet complementary experiences that together create a seamless Sri Lanka itinerary. While one captures the energy of the capital, the other delivers a tranquil coastal escape, allowing travellers to experience the destination in a more holistic way.
City and Coast: A Complementary Offering
Positioned as a dual-destination combination, the properties cater to travellers seeking both exploration and relaxation within a single journey. Highlighting the natural synergy between the two Fagel explained, “By combining stays at both properties, travellers can experience the best of both worlds: urban exploration in Colombo and a beach retreat in Bentota, creating a well-rounded and enriching Sri Lanka itinerary.”
In Colombo, the focus is on delivering a contemporary city experience aligned with evolving traveller expectations. As the gateway to Sri Lanka, the capital continues to attract both business and leisure segments, with increasing demand for flexibility and convenience. “NH Collection Colombo is positioning itself to meet the expectations of modern travellers by offering a range of dining options and services that cater to both business and leisure needs,” noted Fagel.
Differentiation Through Location and Experience
At the coast, NH Bentota Ceysands Resort leverages its unique setting to stand out in a competitive market. Located between the Bentota River and the Indian Ocean, the resort offers a distinctive dual-waterfront experience. Fagel said, “The resort differentiates itself through its unique location and immersive guest experiences. Guests can enjoy stunning views, water-based activities, and a tranquil atmosphere that sets it apart from other beach destinations.”
Adapting to MICE and Evolving Traveller Trends
With Sri Lanka witnessing growing interest in MICE and group travel, both properties are enhancing their offerings to cater to this segment. “We are adapting by enhancing our meeting and event facilities, offering customised packages for corporate groups, and providing dedicated support services for event planning. This integrated approach allows groups to combine business engagements with leisure experiences across both locations. At the same time, shifting traveller preferences, particularly from India, are shaping operational and marketing strategies. We are seeing a strong preference for experiential travel, sustainable practices, and personalised services. These trends are guiding how we design our experiences and engage with our guests,” expressed Fagel.
Sri Lanka’s Growing Appeal
For Indian travellers, Sri Lanka continues to stand out as a diverse and accessible destination. Noting strong potential for continued growth from the market, Fagel noted that Sri Lanka offers a mix of experiences, from cultural heritage and wildlife to beaches and festivals, making it a versatile destination for Indian travellers seeking variety and authenticity.
ANANTARA KALUTARA RESORT AND AVANI KALUTARA RESORT
Dual-Brand Synergy on Sri Lanka’s West Coast
Anantara Kalutara Resort and Avani Kalutara Resort are two adjacent resorts located on a scenic peninsula where the Kalu Ganga River meets the Indian Ocean. Christoph Dueker, General Manager of these dual resorts, says that together, the properties represent a carefully balanced dual-brand strategy that blends luxury and lifestyle experiences within a shared destination ecosystem.
Distinct Identities Within One Destination
While geographically connected, the two resorts are positioned to serve very different traveller profiles. Highlighting how each brand has a clearly defined identity, Christoph mentioned, “Anantara is a luxury resort catering to high-end travellers, offering some of the largest and most beautifully designed guest rooms on the West Coast, with architecture by Geoffrey Bawa and landscaped gardens that create a true sanctuary experience. In contrast, Avani Kalutara Resort is designed around a more contemporary lifestyle concept and is completely different. You feel the pulsating energy immediately upon arrival. It is lifestyle-driven, with music, art, and a relaxed atmosphere. Where Anantara is refined luxury, Avani is more social, vibrant, and laid-back.”
Christoph further added that both properties are equipped to host leisure guests, groups, and weddings, but with distinct price positioning and tone.
Evolving Experiences and Intimate Celebrations
Both resorts are increasingly aligned with shifting traveller behaviour, particularly the move towards experiential travel and smaller, more personalised weddings. Pointing to the flexibility of the resorts’ beachfront, lawn, and riverside venues, Christoph stated, “We are seeing couples moving away from very large weddings and instead focusing on more intimate gatherings, typically between 100 and 300 guests.”
He also emphasised Sri Lanka’s experiential richness as a key driver of demand. Guests can experience incredible diversity in a short span, from wildlife encounters with elephants and leopards to marine experiences with blue whales. At the same time, they can indulge in cultural immersion, such as cooking classes, spice experiences, and local traditions.
India as a Core Growth Market
India continues to play a pivotal role in the resorts’ growth strategy, supported by improving air connectivity and rising outbound demand. Highlighting the widening geographic spread of demand, Christoph observed, “Beyond Mumbai and Delhi, we are seeing strong potential from cities like Bangalore, Chennai, Hyderabad, Pune, and Jaipur.”
Positioning Sri Lanka as a short-haul luxury destination remains central to the strategy. According to Christoph, it is a safe and accessible destination where travellers can experience beaches, culture, wildlife, and hospitality within a compact itinerary.
Christoph reflected on the road ahead with a strong sense of optimism about India’s role in shaping Sri Lanka’s tourism momentum. He emphasised that the relationship with the Indian travel trade is not just transactional but deeply collaborative, built on shared growth and evolving traveller expectations.
ANANTARA PEACE HAVEN TANGALLE RESORT
Secluded Luxury on Sri Lanka’s Southern Coast
Frederik Van den Borre is the General Manager of Anantara Peace Haven Tangalle Resort, a secluded clifftop retreat that brings together Sri Lanka’s unspoiled coastline and immersive luxury experiences. Set along the island’s southern shores, the resort balances privacy with accessibility, making it an increasingly attractive option for international travellers, including those from India.
Seclusion with Seamless Access
While Tangalle is often perceived as remote, improved infrastructure has made the destination far more accessible than before. Van den Borre emphasised that the journey is both efficient and comfortable for guests. He said, “Seclusion is part of our appeal, but access is straightforward. Sri Lanka’s modern road network allows guests to reach us in around three hours, often quicker than peak traffic in cities like Mumbai or Delhi. Combined with seamless transfers and strong Indian trade partnerships, the journey feels effortless.”
Experiences Rooted in Place
A defining element of the resort’s offering is its strong connection to local culture and environment. From curated culinary journeys to wellness programmes and wildlife experiences, each touchpoint is designed to reflect the destination. Van den Borre explained, “Our experiences are rooted in place, whether it is Spice Spoons or Mama’s Kitchen, where guests cook in a traditional clay hut by the paddy field hosted by our Sri Lankan ‘Mama’. We also offer curated spa journeys led by resident Ayurvedic doctors, private beachside dining, and excursions such as Yala safaris, all designed to create a meaningful connection to Sri Lanka.”
This sense of place begins from the moment guests arrive. providing insight, Van den Borre explained that the experience begins upon arrival, with the blowing of a conch shell, traditional drummers, and Sanskrit chants. It immediately sets the tone for something that is authentically Sri Lankan, and that connection continues throughout the stay. The destination itself further enhances this appeal. Sri Lanka is unique, and guests can encounter both elephants and blue whales within 24 hours, which is something very few places in the world can offer.
Strengthening the Indian Market
India continues to be a key focus market for the resort, driven by growing demand for short-haul, experiential luxury travel. Observing the improved air connectivity and its influence on booking patterns, Van den Borre noted, “Improved connectivity has positively impacted demand, particularly for shorter, high-value stays and last-minute travel. Continued expansion of direct routes, competitive pricing, and well-aligned flight timings will further unlock premium segment growth.”
INDIA SALES STRATEGY
Differentiation, Tier 2 Push, and Experiential Growth
Rajindra Daniel, Area Sales Director, Minor Hotels Sri Lanka, said the group is deliberately moving away from price-based competition and focusing on value creation through brand clarity and curated experiences. “At Minor Hotels, our approach is to compete through differentiation, not discounting. For example, we leverage our dual-brand strength of Anantara Hotels and Resorts for immersive luxury and Avani Hotels and Resorts for contemporary lifestyle travellers to clearly target distinct segments. Innovation is increasingly defined by experiences rather than traditional room-based selling,” he conveyed.
Rajindra further noted that the group is also strengthening its positioning through multi-property journeys and integrated destination experiences across Sri Lanka. Highlighting the shift towards seamless itineraries that combine leisure, wellness, and cultural immersion, Rajindra asserted, “We are not positioning ourselves as individual hotels but as a complete Sri Lankan luxury circuit under one trusted portfolio.”
Unlocking Growth in India’s Tier 2 and Emerging Markets
India continues to be a priority growth market, with increasing attention on emerging affluent segments beyond metros. “The most underpenetrated opportunity lies in India’s Tier 2 cities, such as Ahmedabad, Pune, and Hyderabad, as well as secondary wedding hubs. These markets have strong spending power but require deeper, localised engagement,” observed Rajindra.
To unlock this potential, Minor Hotels is expanding targeted roadshows, strengthening on-ground relationships with regional wedding planners and luxury travel designers, and developing customised short-haul celebration and MICE packages designed for higher conversion.
Shift Toward Value, Personalisation and Relationships
Rajindra also pointed to a structural shift in Indian traveller behaviour. “We are seeing a clear move from price-driven to value-driven decisions, shorter booking windows, and a strong rise in occasion-based travel such as weddings and group celebrations. In response, we have evolved from a transactional sales model to a more relationship-driven, demand-shaping approach focused on personalisation and long-term partnerships within the Indian luxury ecosystem,” stated Rajindra.
