Belluna Lanka Hotels & Resorts reports 10% YoY occupancy growth

India leads as source market, contributing 25% to Colombo property booking.

Belluna Lanka Hotels & Resorts, in collaboration with Intrepid Marketing & Communications, recently hosted a travel trade meet-and-greet in Mumbai, reaffirming its commitment to the Indian market and signalling interest in long-term opportunities.

Reyhan Morris, Managing Director of Belluna Lanka Hotels & Resorts, told T3 that India is not only a key source market but also a potential investment destination. “We are exploring opportunities in India, still at a very early stage, but we have conducted a few recce visits already, whether in hospitality or real estate. Chennai looks like the more likely entry point for us at the moment. The South is a stronger possibility,” he shared.

Morris also highlighted that India continues to lead for their Sri Lankan portfolio. “India accounts for nearly 25% of business at our Colombo property and is steadily growing for our Galle hotel as well. As Galle becomes more popular with Indian travellers, we expect that number to rise further,” he said. Australia follows as the second-largest market, with strong traffic also coming from Europe, including the UK, France, and Spain. In the Maldives, India was the top-performing market post-COVID, although European travellers currently make up the majority.

Belluna Lanka has seen steady occupancy growth year-on-year, exceeding 10%, driven largely by leisure segments and followed by MICE. The brand has also hosted Indian weddings, particularly at its 56-key Galle property. “We have done a few niche weddings with full buy-outs. Even with limited inventory, we have worked with nearby hotels and provided transfers to our venue, which is considered one of the best outdoor locations in Galle,” Morris added.

As part of its trade engagement strategy, Belluna Lanka plans to increase its market presence in India through more frequent in-market visits. “We plan to travel to India at least twice a year,” said Morris.

He also emphasised the need for improved air connectivity between India and Sri Lanka to sustain future growth. “We need more flights. Without additional capacity, our ability to scale will be limited,” he concluded.