LEISURE
KumbukRiver, nominated for world award
KumbukRiver, the eco-lodge which catapulted Sri Lanka to the world
stage in tourism alongside its most celebrated names, has been nominated
for the 5th consecutive time for the travel Oscars. The World Travel
Awards has shortlisted the Sri Lankan green resort since 2007 in the
category of the world's leading eco-lodge. In 2008, KumbukRiver bagged
the coveted Oscar, becoming the only Sri Lankan tourism brand to win as
the world's best.
Hailed as "The Oscars of the Travel Industry", the World Travel
Awards is acknowledged across the globe as the ultimate travel accolade
and celebrates those brands which continue to push the boundaries of
industry excellence. World Travel Awards' aim has been to encourage
world-class competition, to stimulate innovation and creativity and to
ensure that travellers receive exceptional value. Contenders include
leading tourist boards, airlines and luxury hotels. Over 5,000
organisations from across 160 countries will be competing for the travel
world's most coveted piece of metal.
KumbukRiver continues to be in the eyes of the international media.
Its list of accolades includes being amongst the world's 20 most unusual
hotels and remains the most featured Sri Lankan resort in the
international media. The recent Europe ceremony in Turkey marked the
second leg of the 2011 Grand Tour.
Graham E. Cooke, Founder and President, World Travel Awards, said:
'We have been equally overwhelmed by the number of multinational
companies who have been spearheading their global marketing campaigns
with their award victories." said Cooke.
CEO of strategist The 7th Frontier, Dinesh Watawana, which built and
owns KumbukRiver states: 'At a time when tourism's leading lights are
racing to build the world's most expensive and most breathtaking
properties, KumbukRiver proves that a country like Sri Lanka can be
right up there."
Green Grass Hotel in Jaffna to invest in another property
Hemanthi GURUGE in Jaffna
Green Grass hotel in Jaffna |
Jaffna is once again becoming a major tourist destination after
ending the 30 year civil war and the area is set to be a major
attraction for both locals and foreigners.
New star class hotels too are being built and the Green Grass Hotel
in Jaffna is the first hotel that had a swimming pool.
Green Grass Hotel in Jaffna offers six luxury rooms and 24 standard
rooms with all facilities. “The family rooms are large with seating area
that can be made into a separate room if required” Green Grass Hotel
General Manager, A. Kathirgamalingam said.
All the rooms at the hotel comes with air conditioning, hot water,
television and other facilities.
The room rates are very reasonable and service is of high standard.
‘The demand for hotel rooms reaches peak during the festival time.’
A large number of southerners stay two or more days at the Green
Grass Hotel when they visit Jaffna. “The Hotel is providing healthy and
tasty meals at reasonable prices.” For business personalities who come
down for a special conference or wedding functions a roof top conference
room with a seating capacity of 100 is offered.
“We also have an airport pick up and drop services and offer
transport to visit other places of interest”, he added. Hotel also
maintains ‘driving bar’, and restaurant to ‘Outside’ guests. The Green
Grass Hotel management is planning to build a new hotel comprising 27
rooms in Jaffna with an investment of Rs 60 million.
The four storeyed hotel will consist luxury rooms, a restaurant, and
a conference hall and other facilities. Eighteen rooms in the hotel have
already been built in the first stage and rest will be completed in one
year.
“We believe that Jaffna requires more hotel rooms offering comfort
with an efficient service at a competitive price for travellers,” he
said. Today 50 are employed in the hotel and many direct and indirect
employment opportunities will be generated after completion of a new
hotel.
‘Kamatha’ lunch at Chaaya Village Habarana
‘Chaaya’ a word that stems from Sanskrit refers to reflections, it is
this word that has helped develop the concept of the Chaaya Resorts. The
properties located
in Habarana, Kandy, Trincomalee and the two upcoming
properties in Hikkaduwa and Yala aims to mirror the culture and the
surroundings of its locality.
The ‘Kamatha’ is lunch as a specialised dining experience which has
gained much popularity amongst the guests. It is an authentic local meal
which is served by the lake end of Habarana. The entire surroundings are
transformed into a village; with constructions of thatched roof huts
which contains a variety of local specialities such as free range
chicken and free range mutton, finely seasoned with aromatic spices and
local herbs. Over ten varieties of mallum, made according to the secret
recipes of village homes which have been guarded for centuries and other
accompaniments unique to the locality.
It is not merely the food that provides guests with a refreshing
experience. The Kamatha lunch is hosted by the head of the village,
Gammuladaani and Gamamahage with a special appearance by the village
policeman who ensures that law and order is maintained and will question
the occasional rule breaker in a dramatic performance.
The oriental music supplied by a local band seated on mats, blends in
perfectly with the atmosphere of the ‘village’.
|