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| Sunday, 25 May 2003 |
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Features |  |
| News Business Features Editorial
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Yala Safari Game Lodge - Where nature meets wonders by BEVERLEY JANSZ The wonders of the Yala Safari Game Lodge, a Jetwing hotel, derive not only from a close encounter with nature, but also from experiencing the values that go to make a holiday memorable.
Only a kilometre from the Yala Wildlife Sanctuary, bordered by the ocean and blessed with a picturesque lagoon, the Yala Safari Game Lodge has been built beside the finest destination in Asia for Leopard watching. The cluster of low, tiled-roof buildings merges into the rustic scrub jungle, trees grown over the sandy area in the compound, providing shade and privacy. The hotel is not just a matter of experiencing wonders of nature, but offers an insight into a well run hotel, with staff eager and obliging, fine food and that overall ambience that make guests reluctant to leave the hotel and its wonders. Earlier, known as Yala Safari Beach Hotel, the name change is symptomatic of a strategic re-positioning the Yala Safari Game Lodge has undertaken. Under the pioneering Jetwing Research Initiative, the hotel began sponsorship of the Leopard Project last year which attracted wide media interest.
The hotel opened an ethnic style 'Bird Hide' last year modelled on those used in UK. This is probably one of the first purpose built 'Bird Hides' to be constructed by a hotel chain anywhere in the world. Realising its potential as a base for bird watchers and eco-tourists, the hotel has developed bird benches, introduced a program of nature walks, tree trails and other features. Some of which are the wildlife news boards, although common in European and North American nature reserved, and unknown in Sri Lanka until Jetwing paved the way with a news board at the Yala Safari Game Lodge. Director, Marketing and Sales, Jetwing Hotels, Lalin de Mel said that the key to attracting eco-tourists is understanding the needs of this growing market. 'With little capital outlay, you can make a high impact in targeting eco-tourists, de Mel said. General Manager, Yala Safari Game Lodge Upali Weerasinghe says that the character and essence of this property, have always been that of a game lodge. The Yala National Park being on par with some of the finest game reserves in Africa for Leopard watching have given Sri Lanka a head start. He said that the Yala Safari Game Lodge together with the Jetwing Research Initiative have been the passport to placing Sri Lanka on the international eco-tourism map. Yala Safari Game Lodge is a Jetwing hotel. ########### Kumudu Valley pool meets Gin Oya The latest addition to Kumudu Valley Resort, Nainamadama, Wennappuwa is a modern and large swimming pool. The uniqueness of the pool is that it has been built overlooking the scenic Gin Oya. Chairman, Kumudu Valley Resort, Nainamadama, Christian Fernando said that another added attraction at the hotel is boat rides offered to guests, on the Gin Oya. 'In building the pool, we planned it in such a manner that guests are offered a panoramic view of the Gin Oya and the beach at Nainamadama, while enjoying their siesta ..... ########### Community service by Taj Samudra The free Eye Camp was held at Golden Pond Taj Samudra recently which benefited by over 250 persons. People from all walks of life from many parts of the country attended this Free Eye Camp. Dr. Sunita Agarwal is a renowned eye surgeon from India, and a Director of Agarwal Hospitals, based in Bangalore conducted the Eye Camp. She has over 17 years of experience in Eye Surgery and hails from a family of Eye Surgeons. Besides her many qualifications she is the twice consecutive award winner of the American Society for Cataract and Refractive surgery. She conducts training courses in the USA and UK as well. Various social welfare programmes are being conducted by Taj Samudra a member of the Taj Group of Hotels. General Manager, Praveen Nair said that some regular events such as the annual feeding of the poor, Blood Donation Camps, Eye Camps are some of the community service initiatives taken by Taj Samudra in the last few months. He added that Taj Samudra's commitment to the community will be proved by quite a few of the community projects that were being planned for the future. |
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