Environmental conservationism consciousness is a pressing need of the hour on a global scale. Environmentalism based eco-tourism is gaining ground the world over, and Jetwing Hotels Ltd is breaking new ground with its own unique brand of leisure sector operations that is praiseworthy for the measures of environmental and ecological conservation it achieves while promoting tourism.
On the 19th of October Jetwing Colombo Seven hosted ‘Wild Vil Uyana’, an evening that consisted of a photography exhibition, a book launch, and a panel discussion cantered on the celebrated Vil Uyana property of Jetwing Hotels, located in Sigiriya.
The first address was by General Manager of Jetwing Vil Uyana, Kinglsey Paul. In his speech among the numerous aspects of his experience in running operations at Vil Uyana and providing an understanding of the establishment, Paul reminisced that one of the Christian clerics who performed a ritualistic blessing at the open air library at Vil Uyana had said –“Get close to nature. You’re getting close to God.”
The podium next welcomed Jetwing Vil Uyana’s resident environmentalist Chaminda Jayasekara who was instrumental in converting three and a half acres within the property into a Loris Conservation site after discovering the elusive Grey Slender Loris has ‘taken up residence’ in the Vil Uyana locale. Along with the Fishing Cat which too is an endangered species of wild cat, Vil Uyana has become a haven for many species of avian and other animal species bound to wetland habitats. For those who wish to glimpse the rare sight of the Grey Slender Loris, Vil Uyana is now a hotspot for Loris sightings. Along with bird watching tours and other nature observation based activities Vil Uyana is now engaged in developing awareness measures among school children as well as undergrads to flare the passion for conservationism among youth.
From what was presented that evening, Vil Uyana seems truly a paradise for nature lovers. Jayasekara provided stats of the many species of birds, butterflies, fish, amphibians, reptiles and mammals that now thrive at Vil Uyana thanks to the sincere passion and vision shared by the stakeholders of Jetwing Hotels in building a unique scheme of eco-tourism that will generate respect and appreciation for the boundless beauty of nature, and the satisfaction of finding harmonious coexistence between man and wilderness. That evening saw the launch of Jayasekara’s latest publication, Wildlife In and Around Vil Uyana. The book, which is a guide for laymen on the abundant flora and fauna of Vil Uyana further provides insight to visitors about the varieties of wildlife that can be spotted in the areas that form Sri Lanka’s cultural triangle, which are generally recognised only as archeologically important sites. Jayasekara concluded his speech by thanking the Chairman of Jetwing Hotels Hiran Cooray for the patronage and unstinted support given him over the years.
Among the other speakers that evening was Hasantha Lokugamage, Assistant Manager of Jetwing Kaduruketa, and K.M. Azick, resident naturalist at Jetwing Surf. They presented details about the national parks, historical sites, places of natural scenic beauty and experiences related to nature and rural culture that visitors to those Jetwing establishments could expect to encounter. The evening was principally about appreciating and showcasing what remarkable outcomes have been achieved in respect of sustainable tourism at Vil Uyana due to the untiring efforts of Chaminda Jayasekara. And so in appreciation of his hard work, a short documentary was screened, titled –‘A day in the life of Chaminda Jayasekera’, as a felicitation to this dedicated environmentalist.
The panel discussion that followed, moderated by Jetwing Hotels Marketing Manager Prasanna Welangoda, brought out many insights about the brand of sustainable tourism that Jetwing has embarked on as its signature aspect in the hospitality industry, as well as the story behind Vil Uyana. The panel consisted of Chairman Jetwing Hotels Hiran Cooray, Managing Directress Jetwing Travels Shiromal Cooray, Director Jetwing Symphony, Len Porter, wildlife photographer Rahula Perera and renowned environmental architect Sunela Jayewardene who designed Vil Uyana. The panellists provided great insight of what makes Vil Uyana a one of a kind resort set in a manmade wetland that has evolved into a thriving sanctuary for flora and fauna and thereby making it the towering success story that it is for sustainable tourism.
Among one of the most significant statements that was made from the panel discussion came from architect Sunela Jayewardene who said the Vil Uyana project, in the process of creating a sanctuary, realised ‘rewilding’, and stated “For the first time in recorded history, agricultural land was returned to the wilderness.” By any standards Jayewardene’s statement speaks volumes of the service rendered to Mother Nature through the vision and leadership of Jetwing Hotels led by Hiran Cooray. Seeing as how this particular strategy and ‘brand’ of salubrious tourism is salutary to both man and nature, I posed a question to Cooray at the end of the session when the house was opened for questions. I ventured to ask if Jetwing has plans to ‘export’ this particular brand of tourism epitomised through the Vil Uyana project to any neighbouring countries if potential sites were found. Cooray’s answer which started with the affirmation “God willing, yes”, went on to reveal something very surprising. Jetwing had in fact tried to launch similar projects in the past in Vietnam and Laos he revealed, but the surrounding factors had not been conducive and rendered the projects unviable at the time. Cooray went onto say that Jetwing doesn’t have immediate plans to take operations outside the country for the next two years; but definite desire and will clearly exists in the Jetwing establishment to spread their wings and carry winds of their brand of sustainable tourism beyond our golden shores.
In these times when global need for conservationism is looming large, the efforts of Jetwing Hotels in projecting an attractive brand of ecologically wholesome environmentally beneficial sustainable tourism that coalesce man and nature in a fabric of harmoniousness that will surely be a beacon to the international tourism industry. Jetwing Vil Uyana showcases Sri Lankan ingenuity for a futuristic 21st century tourism that harps not on urban razzmatazz but the unmatched beauty and tranquillity of unblemished nature, which can be the greatest of healers to the weary soul, seeking rejuvenation.