• Celebrating 50 years of tourism and hospitality

Renowned hotel chain Jetwing Hotels recently celebrated a milestone in providing exceptional stays to guests from all over the world, completing fifty years of hospitality excellence. Established in 1973, Jetwing has evolved into a symbol of comfort, luxury, and style, offering a diverse range of properties that cater to every traveller’s needs.

Today, it has evolved into a trusted household name in hospitality and is considered a pioneering force in the travel and tourism landscape of Sri Lanka that began life as a humble, six-bedroom property on the beach of Negombo.

Where the journey began

Jetwing Hotels celebrated its 50th anniversary on 27 January at the resort where the journey started – Jetwing Blue. The event was attended by dignitaries and senior stakeholders in travel and tourism. The celebration was graced by Prime Minister Dinesh Gunawardena, Minister for Tourism and Lands Harin Fernando as well as former President Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunga.

The Daily Morning Brunch had the pleasure of chatting with Jetwing Symphony Chairman Hiran Cooray, during which he explored the rich history, present achievements, and future aspirations of Jetwing and detailed why this hotel chain continues to set the bar for unparalleled hospitality experiences.

The story of Jetwing starts with Herbert Cooray, an enterprising building contractor who identified the potential Sri Lanka had for tourism, the island people’s inherent warmth and friendliness juxtaposing with boundless natural, historic, and cultural wonder. While building the beachside Seashells Hotel (Jetwing Sea) for G.E.B. Milhuissen in 1972, Herbert was encouraged to construct his own hotel and started to build a property of his own just south of Seashells Hotel – the iconic Blue Oceanic Beach Hotel (Jetwing Blue).

“The Blue Oceanic Beach Hotel opened its doors in 1973, welcoming tourists from all over the world to the incredible beach at Negombo and to the iconic style of hospitality that would distinguish the brand,” Cooray noted, reminiscing on the beginnings of Jetwing and the life of its founder.

A founder with a vision

At the event, Hiran Cooray and Jetwing Hotels Chairman and Jetwing Travels Managing Director Shiromal Cooray – the children of Herbert Cooray –  were joined onstage by Jetwing Hotels Managing Director Ruan Samarasinghe and former Thomas Cook Group interim CEO and Herbert Cooray’s lifelong friend Sam Weihagan, where they fondly remembered the Jetwing Founder.

The Jetwing team also took the opportunity to felicitate Samarasinghe for his 50 years of service to the company.

Taking the audience down memory lane, Shiromal Cooray recalled when her father started Blue Oceanic Beach Hotel. “Tourism in Sri Lanka was largely dominated by tour operators. Hotels would open and close based on the seasons in the northern hemisphere. What my father envisioned was a hotel that could cater to Sri Lankans and foreigners alike, a brand that would be a source of pride and inclusivity for local communities – and I am happy that we have managed to carry on his legacy and vision throughout 50 years,” she stated.

Over the years, Jetwing Hotels added to their ever-growing portfolio of resorts and villas, acquiring Seashells Hotel from the retiring Milhuissen in 1978 and the legendary Blue Lagoon (Jetwing Lagoon), famed architect Geoffrey Bawa’s first purpose-built resort. The brand soon grew beyond the shores of Negombo, opening iconic properties in Galle (Jetwing Lighthouse, another masterpiece of Bawa) and Nuwara Eliya (Jetwing St. Andrew’s).

Sustainability since inception

Hiran Cooray particularly commended the company’s pioneering spirit, tenacity, and timeless vision that was embodied in the construction of Jetwing Vil Uyana. “This ambitious project marked a significant milestone in the hospitality industry in Sri Lanka and demonstrated our commitment to sustainability, which has been a mainstay of our operations since our inception. The man-made lakes, forests, and marshes seamlessly interspersed with consciously designed dwellings at Jetwing Vil Uyana is a true testament to our dedication to preserving the environment and creating a harmonious balance between luxury and sustainability.”

He further observed that hospitality cannot and should not operate isolated from the local communities and without regard to the environment – something his father strongly believed in. “Although sustainability wasn’t a buzzword back in 1973, the ethos and operations of Jetwing Hotels were built on the principles and tenets that are now considered responsible travel. My father always included the community and the environment in his plans and operated through the years with integrity and trust,” Cooray added on the topic.

Cooray remarked that post-2009, Jetwing Hotels saw an unprecedented period of growth as tourism on the island boomed. “While landmark resorts were created in sought-after tourist locations such as Yala and Dambulla, Jetwing’s sense of adventure and discovery saw the introduction of tourism and its benefits to regions of the country that were largely ignored by others.” In Wellawaya, particularly, he observed that Jetwing Kaduruketha pioneered agro-tourism in Sri Lanka with its 50-acre heirloom paddy fields while Pottuvil welcomed Jetwing Surf, unlocking the enigmatic east coast to intrepid travellers.

Contribution to the travel and tourism industry

Minister Harin Fernando, speaking at the event as the Guest of Honour. congratulated the Jetwing family on its golden jubilee. “Jetwing’s contribution to the travel and tourism industry and the global positioning of Sri Lanka is immense. The work begun by Herbert Cooray and carried on today by his son and daughter has brought tourism to the mainstream and shared its benefits with the community.”

In his address to the gathering, Prime Minister Dinesh Gunawardena too spoke on the importance of tourism to the economy of Sri Lanka, now more than ever. “As a dollar-earning industry, tourism is a key player in our recovery efforts. In the future, we predict that Asian giants will take a significant share of our arrivals and we look to productive partnerships between public and private sector organisations such as Jetwing Hotels to maximise the tourism potential of Sri Lanka.”

To many more years to come

Hiran Cooray, in conversation with The Daily Morning Brunch on what more is to come, stated: “As the Chairman of Jetwing Hotels, I am honoured to lead a family-owned company that has been at the forefront of the tourism industry for 50 remarkable years. Our passion for providing authentic Sri Lankan hospitality and our constant drive for innovation and discovery has been the foundation of our success and what sets us apart as a brand.”

The unique combination of elegant comfort and distinctive design in all our properties showcases the true essence of Jetwing Hotels. He pointed out that their commitment to sustainability is reflected in Jetwing Hotels Sustainable Strategy, where they prioritise resource efficiency, community upliftment, education, and awareness in all our operations. “I am confident and optimistic about the future of our company. With 50 years of experience in the tourism industry and a strong foundation of passion and innovation, Jetwing Hotels is well-positioned for continued growth and success.”

He further commented: “Our commitment to providing exceptional hospitality experiences, coupled with our focus on sustainability and responsible practices, will ensure that we continue to be at the forefront of the industry for years to come. I am eager to see what the future holds for Jetwing Hotels as we continue to imagine, create, and manage world-class properties that embody our values and vision.”