Mark Warner expands in Sri Lanka and Egypt

A first hotel in Sri Lanka and a second property in Egypt have been added by Mark Warner.

The operator is moving away from its traditional all-inclusive model, offering guests the choice between bed and breakfast, half board and full board in Sri Lanka. 

The company, which specialises in offering watersports and children’s facilities, is offering flexible packages to the Indian Ocean island where people can choose the number of nights and board basis of their stay.

Both properties feature in Mark Warner’s new Worldwide programme which goes on sale next month featuring holidays from October 2005.

The new hotels follow the introduction in March of the company’s first property outside Europe, Abu Soma in Egypt.

Mark Warner has taken allocations at The Beach Hotel in Sri Lanka and Hilton Dahab on the Red Sea in Egypt, allowing the company to incorporate its usual watersports tuition and childcare facilities. 

Childcare will be available for children over six months, operated from air-conditioned creches which have been designed and built to the company’s own specification. Children’s clubs for over two year olds and group tuition in windsurfing and sailing are included in the holiday price. 

The five star property The Beach, near the fishing village of Negombo on the west coast of Sri Lanka, is offered via scheduled flights from October 18.

Seven nights at The Beach start at £976 per adult and £537 per child, travelling in October based on return flights from Heathrow to Colombo with Sri Lankan Airlines, resort transfers, full board, baby listening, childcare for over two year olds and group tuition in sailing and windsurfing. 

Holidays at the four star Hilton Dahab on the Sinai peninsula are available from next April, with a week starting at £775 per adult and from £434 per child, based on travel on April 28. The price includes seven nights accommodation, return flights from Gatwick to Sharm El Sheikh, resort transfers, three meals a day, group tuition in sailing and windsurfing, introduction to scuba diving, snorkelling, kayaking, baby listening and childcare for over two year olds. 

Mark Warner managing director David Hopkins said: “We have invested in a second property in Egypt following the popularity of Abu Soma, and we believe that Sri Lanka, with its rich culture and scenery as well as its tropical climate, will also appeal to our customers.

“We are confident that these destinations, combined with Mark Warner’s renowned waterfront and childcare expertise, will meet with our guests’ high expectations.”

Report by Phil Davies