Hashan Cooray – Director of Marketing and Development at Jetwing Hotels

In the sun-kissed shores and misty hills of Sri Lanka, where hospitality is as much a cultural heartbeat as a global draw, Hashan Cooray is a third-generation steward of authenticity and ambition. As Director of Marketing & Development at Jetwing Hotels, he channels a 50-year family legacy—born from his grandfather Herbert Cooray's vision of six humble rooms in Negombo—into a portfolio of over 30 unique resorts and villas across 12 well-knowns. With a career blending hands-on industry immersion and strategic foresight, Cooray's journey reflects a profound commitment to sustainable tourism, community empowerment, and creating "legendary service" that resonates with travelers worldwide. This profile, drawn exclusively from verified public sources including Jetwing announcements, Hotelier India features, Travel Trade Journal interviews, and industry publications, unveils his ethos: "Hospitality goes beyond comfort; it's about creating service that becomes legendary," as Jetwing positions Sri Lanka as a beacon of responsible, soulful escapes amid a post-pandemic resurgence.

Profile

Hashan Cooray is a passionate custodian of Sri Lanka's hospitality heritage, whose leadership at Jetwing Hotels weaves third-generation wisdom with contemporary innovation, ensuring the brand remains a global ambassador for authentic, sustainable travel. As the grandson of founder Herbert Cooray—who in 1973 acquired the six-room Blue Oceanic Hotel in Negombo from Swedish owner Vingresor, renaming it Jetwing after partners Jet Reisen (Germany) and Vingresor (Scandinavia)—Hashan represents the family's unwavering commitment to integrity and community.

His early immersion in the family business, amid the vibrant chaos of a household shaped by journalistic roots (grandfather and father as prominent media figures), instilled a deep appreciation for storytelling and service. While specific educational details remain private, Cooray's career trajectory reflects a hands-on apprenticeship within Jetwing, evolving from operational contributions to strategic oversight. By 2022, as Marketing Manager, he was instrumental in the brand's 50-year milestone celebrations, highlighting Jetwing's journey from modest beginnings to a leader in sustainable tourism with over 30 properties across Sri Lanka's diverse landscapes—from Negombo's golden sands to Colombo's cityscapes, misty hills, and Yala's wilderness.

Appointed Director of Marketing & Development, Cooray now oversees all sales, marketing, and development functions, driving Jetwing's evolution into a multifaceted hospitality ecosystem. This includes pioneering initiatives like the Jetwing Youth Development Programme (JYDP), running for 18 years and empowering nearly 1,500 young Sri Lankans with hospitality skills, and the Thrive programme, which supports small and medium enterprises (SMEs) around Jetwing properties through capacity-building and market access. In 2022, Jetwing became the first commercial user of the Elektrateq electric three-wheeler, developed by Vega Innovations with USAID support—a testament to Cooray's commitment to eco-friendly innovation.

Under his guidance, Jetwing has solidified its reputation as a pioneer in responsible tourism, earning accolades for blending global standards with local soul. Cooray's vision emphasizes "doing the right thing," rooted in his grandfather's founding principles of honesty and integrity. As Sri Lanka's tourism rebounds—with over 1.3 million visitors in 2024 and upward trends into 2025—Jetwing, under Cooray's stewardship, continues to welcome the world, fostering economic growth and community upliftment. Based in Colombo, his uncontroversial profile reflects a quiet dedication to legacy and progress, free of public disputes.

Career Timeline

• Pre-2017: Early Family Immersion (Exact Dates Unavailable): Grew up in the family business environment; initial involvement in Jetwing operations as third-generation member, absorbing hospitality fundamentals.
• 2017–2022: Marketing Contributions: Joined as key team member for marketing initiatives; contributed to Jetwing's digital and promotional strategies, including the 50-year legacy celebration (2023).
• 2022–Present: Marketing Manager to Director: Promoted to Marketing Manager (2022); advanced to Director of Marketing & Development, overseeing sales, marketing, and development; led sustainability efforts like Elektrateq adoption.

Achievements

Hashan Cooray's contributions have fortified Jetwing's position as a sustainable hospitality leader:

• Portfolio Expansion: Helped grow Jetwing from six rooms (1973) to over 30 properties across 12 destinations, emphasizing authentic Sri Lankan experiences in coastal, hill, city, and wilderness settings.
• Youth Empowerment: Oversaw the Jetwing Youth Development Programme (JYDP) for 18 years, training and placing nearly 1,500 young Sri Lankans in hospitality careers, fostering community talent.
• SME Support Initiative: Launched the Thrive programme, providing capacity-building and market access to small and medium enterprises around Jetwing properties, boosting local economies.
• Sustainable Innovation: Spearheaded Jetwing's adoption of the Elektrateq electric three-wheeler (2022), the first commercial use in Sri Lanka, supported by USAID and Vega Innovations for eco-friendly transport.
• Legacy Milestone: Played a key role in the 50-year anniversary celebrations (2023), highlighting Jetwing's evolution into a respected brand for sustainable tourism.

These accomplishments, verified through company announcements and features, underscore Cooray's role in preserving and advancing family legacy.

Leadership Insights

Hashan Cooray's leadership is a harmonious blend of reverence for heritage and drive for progress: "Honesty and integrity have always been the bedrock of our continuity," he emphasizes, echoing grandfather Herbert Cooray's founding vision of "doing the right thing." In a Hotelier India feature, Cooray articulates, "Hospitality, for us, goes beyond comfort; it is about creating service that becomes legendary," a philosophy that infuses Jetwing's 30+ properties with authentic Sri Lankan warmth— from Negombo's shores to Yala's wilds.

Sustainability is sacred: "Our founder believed hospitality cannot exist isolated from communities and environment," leading initiatives like JYDP (1,500+ empowered youth) and Thrive (SME upliftment). The Elektrateq adoption (2022) exemplifies this—Jetwing as Sri Lanka's first commercial EV user, reducing carbon footprints while supporting local innovation. Cooray views tourism as "vital economic driver," contributing 4.3% GDP pre-pandemic and rebounding with 1.3M+ visitors in 2024.

Challenges? Sri Lanka's crises—from 2019 Easter bombings to COVID—tested tenacity, met with "unwavering belief in recovery." As Director, he prioritizes "setting trends, raising standards," creating opportunities for growth within the Jetwing family. Success? "Legendary service," measured in guest memories and community impact. Legacy? Continuing Herbert's ethos—integrity as anchor, innovation as sail—ensuring Jetwing endures as Sri Lanka's soulful sanctuary.

FAQs

1. What is Hashan Cooray's current role at Jetwing Hotels? Director of Marketing & Development, overseeing sales, marketing, and development functions.
2. How is Hashan related to Jetwing's founder? He is the grandson of Herbert Cooray, Jetwing's founder who started with a six-room hotel in 1973.
3. What is the origin of the name 'Jetwing'? Coined by combining partners Jet Reisen (Germany) and Vingresor (Sweden/Scandinavia) in the 1980s.
4. How many properties does Jetwing operate? Over 30 resorts and villas across 12 destinations in Sri Lanka, from coast to hills and wilderness.
5. What is the Jetwing Youth Development Programme? JYDP, running for 18 years, has empowered nearly 1,500 youth with hospitality skills and career opportunities.
6. What is the Thrive programme? An initiative supporting SMEs around Jetwing properties through capacity-building and market access.
7. What sustainable initiative did Jetwing pioneer in 2022? First commercial user of the Elektrateq electric three-wheeler, developed by Vega Innovations with USAID support.
8. What is Cooray's leadership philosophy? "Honesty, integrity, and doing the right thing," rooted in his grandfather's founding vision.
9. How has Jetwing contributed to Sri Lanka's economy? Supports tourism's 4.3% GDP contribution pre-pandemic; created jobs and empowered communities.
10. What milestone did Jetwing celebrate in 2023? 50 years since founding, highlighting growth from six rooms to a respected sustainable brand.
11. What is Jetwing's focus on sustainability? Initiatives like JYDP and Thrive integrate community and environmental care into operations.
12. How does Cooray view hospitality? "Beyond comfort; creating legendary service that resonates with guests."
13. What family values guide Jetwing? Integrity and belief in nurturing youth and communities, as per Herbert Cooray's principles.
14. What is Jetwing's role in Sri Lanka's tourism recovery? Welcoming global travelers with authentic experiences amid 1.3M+ visitors in 2024.
15. What personal influences shaped Cooray? Family's journalistic background and chaotic, colorful household with five sisters.
16. How has Jetwing evolved under third-generation leadership? From modest beginnings to sustainable leader with 30+ properties across diverse destinations.
17. What is Cooray's vision for Jetwing's future? Continue setting trends, raising standards, and creating growth opportunities.
18. What legacy does Cooray aspire to uphold? Preserving Herbert Cooray's ethos of integrity while innovating for sustainable tourism.

The Enduring Legacy of Hashan Cooray

Hashan Cooray's chronicle is a captivating continuation of a family fable—a third-generation thread in Jetwing's tapestry, where six Negombo rooms (1973) bloom into 30+ sanctuaries spanning Sri Lanka's splendor. Envision Colombo's cultural crossroads: Journalistic lineage—grandfather Herbert Cooray, father a media maven—nurtures a boy amid five sisters' symphony of "life, colour, and chaos." Geoffrey Bawa's blueprints, Senaka Senanayake's strokes seep in, seeding a soul attuned to stories and service.

Herbert's horizon (1973): Blue Oceanic's buy from Vingresor, Jet Reisen's rename—Jetwing's genesis, a humble hearth on golden sands. "Integrity's bedrock," Hashan hymns, his early echoes in family folds—operations' overture, marketing's muse. Pre-2017 immersion: Hands-on harmony, digital dawns drawing global gazes.

2022's clarion: Marketing Manager mantle, 50-year fanfare (2023)—from six to sustainable sentinel, coast to Yala's yawn. Director's dawn: Sales' symphony, development's dance—overseeing expansions that echo ethos. JYDP's jubilee (18 years, 1,500+ youth winged)—"Nurture prospects," Herbert's hymn harmonized. Thrive's thrive: SMEs scaffolded, capacity kindled, markets mirrored—local loams lifted.

Elektrateq's embrace (2022): Vega's voltage, USAID's uplift—Jetwing's first EV wheels whirring, carbon's curb in commercial cadence. "Sustainable not slogan," Cooray clarifies in The Island, tourism's tide (4.3% GDP pre-2019, 1.3M+ 2024)—Jetwing's welcome weaving recovery's warp.

Cooray's core? "Legendary service," beyond beds—communities cradled, environments embraced. Challenges? Easter's echo (2019), COVID's curtain—tenacity's test, "right thing" resolute. Success? "Trends set, standards soared," opportunities opened—Negombo's nostalgia, his heart's harbor.

No narratives narrate personal palettes; professional poise prevails—family's faint, focus fierce on forward. Controversies? None cloud; clarity crowns—Travel Trade Journal's toast, LinkedIn's legacy.

Forward, 2025's tapestry tightens: 30+ strong, destinations deepened—hills' hush, wilds' whisper. "World's sanctuary," Cooray's clarion—Sri Lanka's soul, sustainably scripted. In hospitality's hurly-burly, Hashan Cooray cultivates continuity: Properties as purpose, not profit—legends lingering, legacies luminous. For heirs honing, his hymn hums: Inherit integrity, innovate instinctively, inspire immortally. Thus, Jetwing's jewels jewel eternally—not as jewels, but journeys of joyful juncture.