The John Keells Group, in a departure from the past, has formally integrated its reporting on sustainability initiatives into that of the group’s financial results, bringing in elements like carbon footprint and water consumption into its annual performance.
Declaring year-end (to March 31, 2012) results in which group revenue rose 27 % to Rs 76.7 billion and post-tax profits rose 22 % Rs 11 billion, group chairman Susantha Ratnayake said in the 2011-12 annual report released this week the carbon footprint for the year was 73,753 MT as against 65,524 MT in the previous year. The growth was mainly due to the increased output the group’s Consumer Foods and Retail sector, increased occupancy levels at its hotels and the re-launching of two resort hotels. “However, it is pleasing to note that our carbon footprint per every Rupee of revenue generated has decreased by 11 %,” he said, adding that the group consumed 1.8 million cubic metres of water in the year under review. Water consumption was not tracked in the previous year.
The total number of employees excluding associate companies rose marginally by 5 % to 11,956.
For the first time (in many years), the leisure sector helped - by the post-war potential-, secured the biggest profit for the group against transportation, which has been the top profit unit for many years.
“Whilst the potential for tourism for Sri Lanka is enormous and compelling, we cannot over-emphasise the dire need for a focussed, long term and sustained promotional and development strategy,” Mr Ratnayake told shareholders.
The contribution from the transportation sector fell to 34 % from 41% in the previous year while the leisure sector accounted for 34 % of the group’s post-tax profits group, and on its own saw its sector profits rise by 60 % from the previous year.“Whilst traditional tourism generating markets continued to dominate arrivals, a trend was visible with growth momentum shifting to emerging fast growing markets such as the Middle East, East Asia and Eastern Europe, albeit off a small base. India continues to be the largest generating market and demonstrates the need to further develop capabilities to cater to this segment. Our Maldivian resorts had a successful year despite the political disturbances experienced towards the latter part of the financial year,” he said. |
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