Are there actual Eco-Resorts in Sri Lanka now?

Are there actual Eco-Resorts in Sri Lanka now?

Sri Lanka is considered as one of the most significant islands in South Asia regarding its natural beauty.  In this small island tourism takes prominent place when it comes to the foreign exchanges and provision of employment opportunities. During some of the unpredictable times like Easter Sunday bomb attack, Covid-19 Pandemic, tourism industry collapsed. But at the moment it's developing day by day.  As a result of the current development in the country, lots of industries got changed. But the tourism industry got changed to another different way. Local and foreign people always seek for the natural environmental beauty to take a break from their busy lifestyle. They tend to take their break peacefully without disturbing to the wildlife and nature as well.

Ecotourism is the latest way of development in local tourism in Sri Lanka. That means people tend to make their resorts, hotels along with the natural beauty in the nature rather than destroying them. Rather than going into a hotel in the city of Colombo with the busy traffic and honking noises at the office hours, tourists love to enjoy their day on a resort which has calm and peaceful environment attached with the beauty of nature. Eco resorts are built without cutting down big trees. Instead, they build the hotel around that tree to use that tree as a gorgeous element to enhance the beauty. This is becoming the most advantageous way for the Sri Lankan hotel owners to gain tourist attraction to Sri Lanka nowadays. And this method helps to reduce the deforestation going in the world. Most of the hotel owners tend to be considered to make eco resorts instead of normal hotels, resorts and restaurants.

Yes, there are actual Eco-resorts in Sri Lanka now to contribute their service to the Sri Lankan tourism industry. Most of them are located in rural areas and there are lots of categories which we can identify according to their facilities and prices as well. They mainly considered about the renewable energy sources, recycling services, eco-friendly toiletries, energy efficient lightning, locally sources food items, organic linens, non-toxic cleaning supplies, water conservation methods and various other sustainability focused initiatives to accomplish the ecotourism in Sri Lanka. Not only natural or environmental values but also cultural values also be enhanced in eco-tourism. Tourists love to learn about country specific cultural habits when they come to the land. In this method, tourists can see and experience the natural and cultural sceneries and gain more knowledge about them.

Here are some of the most attractive Eco resorts in Sri Lanka.

1). Jetwing Vil Uyana 

Jetwing Hotels are one of the most popular hotel chains in Sri Lanka. They have built their hotels in a more eco-friendly way compared to the other hotels. Jetwing Vil Uyana is known to be the first manmade nature reserve created in Sri Lanka. And it has been praised for the combination of forest and wetland system architecture that has been used in building the resort. It is obvious that they have tried to minimize the destruction of natural elements in order to build the resort. This glorious nature reserve stands at 28 acres but 17acres of that land is forested land and 7 acres of that land is being used for harvesting and vegetable farming. Tourists are able to see number of things including Sigiriya, manmade lakes, beautiful forest with native species and farms by choosing this hotel as their stay.

Wildlife species including butterflies, fish, reptiles, birds and mammals can be discovered while staying at the resort as well. This is another attraction method for the tourists who love to do nature photography. Recently the hotel is using cinnamon wood fed stoves instead of fuel derived gas appliances to minimize the hotel kitchen greenhouse gas emissions.

2). Heritance Kandalama

This elegant stay is another great example of eco-resorts in Sri Lanka. The famed visionary architect Geoffrey Bawa is the legend behind this nature friendly design. Under the hotel, water and animals can travel unharmed as the hotel is bult on stilts. Jungle vines are also growing over the hotel façade which makes it more greenly looking hotel. Minimalistic interior of the hotel with traditional furniture and cultural elements gives the visitors a better understanding and knowledge about the country’s history. Nothing is more refreshing than waking up in the morning in hotel Kandalama with hearing birds chipping, rustling sounds of tree leaves, chattering sounds of monkeys and elegant views of sunrise will give you next level refreshment in the morning. And this hotel uses many nature friendly facilities inside the hotel such as they use their own wastewater and filter them to irrigate its own extensive gardens. And they use renewable energy sources such as solar panels as an eco-friendly method to generate power for the hotel.

3). Leopard Nest- Glamping in Yala

Glamour camping, known as glamping, is one other nature connected tourist experience that Sri Lanka provides. Yala forest is the most famous national park in Sri Lanka. Lepoard nest is located 6 kms away from the Palatupana entrance of the Yala national park. Tourists get to chose comfortable camping options to stay such as tree nests that are built on the strong branches of a huge tree, jungle nests that are built in the middle of the jungle and luxury tents. And they have used wood as their main building material for many things. Even the toothbrushes, fishing equipment and some of the cutleries are made using wood. Tourists have number of activity options to chose including bird watching, nature trails, fishing tours, night drives and many other nature related activities. Wildlife travelers will enjoy this unique glamping experience by engaging with forest surroundings and the conceptual design of this resort. There are plenty of dining experiences as well. In Lakeside breakfast you can take breakfast near the Nimalawa lake and in Dine on a rock you will be taken to a top of a rock where you can enjoy view of the nature and sounds of the nature while you enjoy your cuisine.

4). Madulkelle Tea and Eco Lodge

This beautiful eco resort is located on a 25 acres tea plantation. Madulkelle eco lodge is a great combination of providing the natural beauty of Sri Lanka and the giving the historic experience in early 90s. All their suites including art suite, penthouse suite and all the rooms are decorated using the old cultural elements and that will give visitors the real historical experience. Another great advantage of this eco lodge is that the tourist will get the opportunity of seeing the tea plantation industry in Sri Lanka. And also, they will get the chance to taste authentic Ceylon tea. This hotel uses renewable ecofriendly solar energy and growing organic fruits and vegetables in their own garden. Travelers are also allowed to join harvesting with them. Infinity pool which is in front of the mountain and tea plantation has a breathtaking view. And visitors also can go for a hike on Knuckles Mountain range as an adventurous experience. Apart from the beauty of the nature, they also provide wellness packages that includes health meals, morning activities like yoga or meditation, spa with full body therapy and herbal treatments. Last day of your stay they will give you a health report and a consultation session with a doctor.

5). Kalundewa Retreat

This beautiful retreat is nested in 100 acres of pristine land, home to four beautiful lakes. Tourists will enjoy the peacefulness that brings from this beautiful surrounding. And they will also experience the real village life in Sri Lanka, and they will see how friendly farmers spend their day in these beautiful paddy fields. Relaxation is one other main factor to consider if you are willing to go to this retreat. You can do yoga or meditation with peace of mind by listening to the calming sounds from the nature. Traditional “Govi gedara” dining will be your favourite Sri Lankan cuisine experience you will ever try. Tree house restaurant is nestled between the lake and paddy fields that offers an elegant outdoor dining experience. ‘Nil manel floating villa’ is built in the middle of a small lake that gives the traveler an awesome experience of engaging with nature. There is a Sri Lankan cookery class as an activity that travelers can join to learn the art of Sri Lankan cooking styles.

In my point of view this will become the pioneer in tourism field in the near future. As one of the most beautiful islands in south Asia, this eco-resort concept will be become the major way of attracting the foreign exchange income to the Sri Lanka. So let's try to engage to expand our ecotourism as much as we can and try to promote it on our social media as we can.

https://www.dailymirror.lk/47380/a-green-future-for-jetwing-vil-uyana

https://www.euronews.com/travel/2022/01/09/this-sri-lankan-eco-hotel-is-helping-to-protect-the-country-s-endangered-wildlife

https://www.destinasian.com/blog/news-briefs/eco-resorts-in-sri-lanka-heritance-kandalama